Variaciones de un glaciar de montaña en los Andes de Chile Central en las últimas dos décadas

Variations of a mountain glacier in the central chilean Andesduring the last twenty years Mass balance results for Echaurren Norte Glacier are presented. This mountain glacier, with an area of 0,4 km2, is located at a mean elevation of 3 750 m.a.s.l. in the Andes of central Chile, 50 km east of Santiago. The data have been collected as part of a regular program of Dirección General de Aguas, Chile, covering a period of 18 years, from 1975 to 1993, and constituting the only glacier mass balance record in Chile. The mean ablation during the melting season within the record period was 252 cm water equivalent, with a mean winter accumulation of 280 cm water equivalent. The net balance is positive for the 18-year period, but a great interannual variability is observed. The positive mass balance of Echaurren Norte Glacier contrasts with the generalized retreat of glaciers in central Chile.