Geomorphological, hydrological and climatic significance of rock glaciers in the Andes of Central Chile (33-35°S)

Rock glaciers in the Andes of Santiago de Chile occupy c. 10% of the total land surface between 3500 and 4250 m ASL. An estimated water equivalent of 0.3 km(3) per 1000 km(2) of mountain area is stored within them; this value is one order of magnitude higher than in the Swiss Alps. Climate data indicate that the lowest occurrences of active rock glaciers in the Andes of Santiago are not in equilibrium with modem climate. Relict features are found as low as at 2630 m ASL, implying a depression of the mean annual air temperature of at least c. 5.5 degrees C. South of Santiago, active rock glacier distribution ends at 35 degrees 15'S due to lower topography, young volcanism and increased humidity. Copyright (c) 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.