Glaciares, nieves y hielos de América Latina Cambio - Unesco

G L A C I A R E S , N I E V E S Y H I E L O S D E A M É R I C A L A T I N A . C A M B I O C L I M Á T I C O Y A M E N A Z A S
Abstract
Actually, glacier masses around the world present an impressive recession
caused by a process of climate change.
A methodology has been established and developed in this research, with
the purpose to approximate and analyze the relation between the process of
glacier recession of the volcán Nevado Santa Isabel and the hydrologic impact
that this phenomenon produces in the Pereira city water supply. Using
photogrammetric, satellite imaging, GIS and field work techniques, maps
and digital models were generated to obtain results that showed the development
of glacier recession at the Nevado Santa Isabel in area and volume.
With these data, a margin of water contribution by this glacier to the city of
Pereira was established
The Nevado Santa Isabel glacier supplied 0.32% from the total volume of
water that the river Otún supplied to Pereira city between 1959 and 1995 and
at the present, part of the volume of water that drained from the “laguna del
Otún” equals to a 0.07% in two months. The knowledge of the hydrologic
contribution to Pereira city from the Nevado Santa Isabel glacier and the
high basin of Otún river may conduct to decisions and actions oriented to
the rational and adequate management of the water resource, which is vital
for the proper functioning of a particular community.
Introducción
Los glaciares de alta montaña son uno de los elementos constitutivos de las
cuencas hidrográficas en la franja que comprende la alta montaña de los
Andes sudamericanos.
Para el caso específico de las características hidrogeomorfológicas de la
microcuenca de la laguna del Otún se identifican modelados glaciares y volcánicos,
donde se presenta un fenómeno de retroceso glaciar del Nevado de
Santa Isabel, al que se han referido autores como Euscátegui (2003), Flórez
(1992), Linder (1990), entre otros.
Según los ciclos glacial-interglacial nos encontramos al final de un periodo
interglacial, denominado Holoceno superior, con un incremento de la
temperatura de la atmósfera terrestre en el contexto de un cambio climático
global. Este fenómeno, según varios autores, se está reforzando con acciones
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