Glacier Retreat in the Andean Region Mara Emilia Andrade, Juan
Pablo Galarza, Juan Andrs Cajiao
Slide 2
Glaciers: Glaciers are large masses of snow, recrystallized ice
and rock debris that accumulate in great quantities and begin to
flow outwards and downwards under the pressure of their own weight.
Glaciers form when yearly snowfall in a region far exceeds the
amount of snow and ice that melts in a given summer. In this way,
massive quantities of material accumulate in relatively small
periods of geologic time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fleXP9ljZ-o
Slide 3
Ice Melting in the Andes: Thousands of years of ice have melted
in the last 25 years. Relate this to other places on Earth that are
going through the same problem such as the Himalayas and the Alps.
-In the last 2 and half decades the Andean glaciers have melted
about 30-50% and shrunk from their size according to research and
study. Some glaciers have melted completely in extreme cases due to
the radical climate change the Earth has been going through during
the past 30 years. -This situation is very similar to the one the
Himalayan and the glaciers in the Alps have been going through. The
Himalayan and the Alps glaciers have melted more than 50% in a very
accelerating speed in the last 25 years. One of the main causes of
this happening is said to be climate change due to contamination,
trash and smoke. Below is a picture of the Himalayas 20 years ago
and now.
Slide 4
350 Days in the Life of a Retreating Glacier
Slide 5
Glacial Periods: Glacier movement is detected by the presence
of crevasses, cracks that form in the ice as the glacier moves.
Glaciers are dynamic, changing due to temperature and
precipitation. Glaciars are usually present during Glacial Periods,
which are any geological period in which long-term cooling takes
place and ice sheets and glaciers exist. The glaciers of the
tropical Andes have shrunk by between 30% and 50% in 30 years and
many will soon disappear altogether, decreasing the summer water
supply for millions of people. Many valleys throughout the world
are seasonally dry and depend on glacier runoff to maintain
extensive mountain biomes and their biodiversity. Specifically,
glaciers play an important role in freshwater regulation in
associated watersheds, ensuring year-round water flows for
agriculture, potable water, power generation, and the stability of
mountain biomes. As sea levels rise, coastal communities and
habitats will be destroyed. If the melting of glaciers during this
century continues, then this will lead to floods and water
shortages for millions of people.
Slide 6
Chimborazo Glacier Retreat: The case of Chimborazo volcano is
no different from the cases all around the world. It has been
decreasing notoriously in the past 25 years, and it is alarming how
it has lost 47% of its inital mass. As you can see in our model,
the glaciers reached near the foothill of the mountain by the 1990.
And after 25 years, with climatic change, pollution and global
warming the glaciers in Chimborazo now extend to short distances
and remain near the peaks in this present day.
Slide 7
Our Trip: We were able to see the glacier retreat and get more
knowledge on the topic my speaking to natives and guides during our
trip, they have explained that if something isnt done, the glacier
in Chimborazo could be completely gone in 30-40 years.
