Glaciological characterization of Chile

Abstract

An analysis of Chilean glaciers was carried out which included determining the number, surface and water content of glaciers across the country (including rock glaciers and Patagonian ice fields). Chile’s glaciological depiction was performed with data obtained from the National Inventory of Glaciers of the General Directorate of Water (Dirección General de Aguas - DGA) and bibliographic information. From the results, it was established that Chile has an estimated total of 24,114 glaciers with a surface of 23,641km2. Nevertheless, this surface of ice has great regional differences across the country, covering more surface area in the south. The equivalent water content of all ice bodies in the country has been estimated at 3,175 km3.