Everything is visible from space: Patagonia is also losing its glaciers

Patagonia, along with the Andean highlands, is the most sparsely populated place in South America. Due to the difficult conditions of the mountainous terrain and not the mildest climate, there is a low population density and almost no infrastructure. The diversity of fauna here is also small, because not everyone can survive in such geographical conditions. But in Patagonia there are a sufficient number of vast glaciers, which are of great interest to scientists, as indicators of climatic changes occurring on Earth.

Patagonia is a powerful center of glaciation on a global scale. Several large glaciers are concentrated here, such as Uppsala, Perito Moreno, Spegazzini. Nearly 50 glaciers are located within the Los Glaciares Park alone. When you look at these lifeless ice masses, it seems that no global warming threatens them. But this is a deceptive impression, and the breath of planetary climate change is already felt in this harsh place.

The glaciers of Patagonia are observed not only by glaciologists during the expeditions, but also by astronauts from the ISS. For example, under the program called “Hurricane”, comprehensive monitoring of the environment, including glaciers in Patagonia, is being carried out in the ISS Russian segment. Given the inaccessibility of this region, observations from orbit can fill a number of gaps in the monitoring of ice masses, and also give a more complete picture in connection with the regular flights of the ISS over this region.

According to observations carried out as part of the Hurricane program, the glaciers of Patagonia, like in many other places on the planet, have shown a decrease in area in recent decades. For example, the Uppsala glacier is a regular supplier of large icebergs, and its area is reduced every year. Alas, even such a harsh climate with low temperatures and constantly blowing winds is not able to save the glaciers of Patagonia from gradual melting.

Watch the video: Glaciers in decline (March 2024).

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