Glacier Retreat in the Andean Region María Emilia Andrade, Juan Pablo Galarza, Juan Andrés Cajiao

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.

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 Alp´s 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.

350 Days in the Life of a Retreating Glacier

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.

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 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.

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 isn´t done, the glacier in Chimborazo could be completely gone in years.