for the total area of glacier were 513km? in 
2005 and 507km? in 2009. This type of 
behavior less intense shows that for 
understanding the 
dynamics of the glacier we need annual data 
and field studies, in order to know the 
real evolution of the glacier along time. 
Tyndall Glacier: Is the glacier studied more to 
the south of the Southern Patagonia Icefield 
with approximately 40km in length, flows into 
the lake pro-glacial Geikie originated from it. 
Located in the coordinates 51°12'S - 73°18'W 
and is adjacent to the famous mountain of 
Paine. In 1973 the glacier had a total surface 
area of 507km? that after a decline of 
approximately 750m had its area reduced to 
449km? in 1986 and since then has suffered 
intense retreats of the tongue and reduction of 
the glacier total volume. Data from 2005 show a 
surface area of 380km? in a decrease of approxi- 
mately approximately 1.300m of tongue in 
relation to 1986. For the year 2009 images 
showed a further retraction to 2.650m in 
relation to 1986 and a nice-covered area of 
363km°. 
3. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS 
Variations in the front area of the glaciers are 
important not only for the calculation of area, 
flow and speed, but in order to gain know- 
ledge about the behavior ofice masses. The 
data in Table 1 show a evident tendency of 
retreated the glaciers from the first images. The 
exception Bruggen glacier that during the study 
period showed a growth profile in the region of 
discharge and body of the glacier. Upsala and 
Jorge Montt glaciers obtained the greatest loss 
of mass, with very accelerated process of 
retraction from the 90's. Jorge Montt is glacier 
studied with more troubling levels of retraction 
and volume loss, reaching approximately 
50km”/year of ice area lost. The Moreno glacier 
showed during the century alternations of 
frenquent advances and retreats, with a behavior 
considered stable in your area during the years 
analyzed. 
  
Area lost (km?) 
  
1973- 1976- 1979- 1986-  2005- 
Glacier 1986 1986 1986 2005 2009 
  
  
Jorge 357km (- 
Montt X 63km? X 2 )8km? 
(= 
Brugge (- 148km  )130k 
n X )49km? X m? 
O'Higgi 63,1k 299k  47,7k 
ns X m? X m? m? 
(-) 
Moreno X X 19km? 44km?  6km? 
148,6k 377km 153km 
Upsala X X m? 2 2 
Tyndall | 58km? X X 69km? 17km? 
Table 1. Loss of frontal area of the glaciers due to retreat 
- 1973-2009. 
Studying the conduct of Patagonian ice masses 
we  mustconsiderthat obtaining field data 
and climatology in this region are very difficult, 
especially because it isasparsely populated 
region with a limited number of meteorological 
stations and terrain complex. The values of 
retraction of glaciers indicate that the Southern 
Patagonia Icefield can be responding to climate 
change so quickly and intensely. Data of the 
Chilean Meteorological Office show that there 
was a significant increase in temperature in the 
region throughout the year, from 1986 until 
today. According Aniya (1992) the Patagonian 
glaciers are supposed to respond quickly to 
climatic changes, because they are 
characterized by a large mass balance, that is, 
large amounts of accumulation and ablation, 
and since the change in air temperature affects 
the snout area more quickly, it seems that these 
climatic trends would explain some glaciers' 
behaviors; however, naturally, not all of them. 
This work was elaborate from the analysis of 
surface area of glaciers, so we need more 
    
       
    
    
   
      
  
  
  
    
   
      
    
    
    
    
    
   
   
   
  
   
   
     
  
   
   
     
     
    
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