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 Southern Patagonia Ice Field ruptures infographic
Graphic shows location and features of the split in the Southern Patagonia Ice Field.
GN39150EN

CHILE

Southern Patagonia Ice Field splits in two

By Jordi Bou

May 24, 2019 - Chile’s 12,000 sq km Southern Patagonia Ice Field has split in two and is likely to continue to fracture amid climate change, scientists say.

Gino Casassa, chief of the Snow and Glacier Division of Chile's DGA water authority, told Reuters increasing temperatures along the Andes Mountains in southern Chile and Argentina have meant less snow and ice to replenish the region's abundant glaciers.

The chunk of ice that split off from the main glacier was estimated at 208 square kilometres, a relatively small part of the ice field.

Scientists fear that such ruptures are becoming more frequent as increasing temperatures along Andes Mountains means less snow and ice to replenish glaciers.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 24/05/2019; STORY: Reuters, El Mercurio, www.glaciareschilenos.org; PICTURES: NASA
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