As crucial indications of climate change, the retreat of these glaciers over the past decades has ramifications for increasing sea levels. Numerous lakes in the location are fed by waters from melting glaciers. The most significant glacier noticeable at the bottom of the image is the Grey Glacier, its terminus is divided in 3 by pieces of land. The death of glaciers is one of the main causes of sea-level rise. Satellite data can assist monitor changes in glacier density, degree, and mass and, consequently, their contribution to increasing sea levels.
Development and Features of the Ice Field
Ice fields form due to build-ups of snow that turn into ice through years of compression and freezing. Shaped by the underlying topography, glaciers frequently form at the edges of an ice field.
In this image, the ice mass feeds several smaller sized and larger glaciers, including the Argentinian Perito Moreno Glacier in the top right corner. Located on a narrow channel, Perito Moreno feeds Lake Argentino and forms an ice dam separating the lakes main body, noticeable on top in blue-green, from its southern arm, which appears grey.
Lakes, Sediments, and Glaciers
Lots of lakes in the area are fed by waters from melting glaciers. The color of the water varies from deep blue to grey depending on the quantity of suspended great sediment present. This sediment is called glacier milk and is an outcome of abrasion as glaciers circulation over the underlying rock.
The biggest glacier visible at the bottom of the image is the Grey Glacier, its terminus is divided in 3 by pieces of land. It lies within the Torres del Paine National Park, among the largest in Chile. The name of the park comes from the 3 unique granite peaks Torres del Paine, visible in the bottom best corner of the image.
Moraines and Indicators of Climate Change
The darker lines following the flow of the majority of the glaciers are moraines: build-ups of rock, soil, and other particles that have been transferred by the glacier. Taking a closer look at the terminus of some of the glaciers, we can see how icebergs have actually broken off and are now drifting in lakes and fjords.
Glaciers are the biggest reservoirs of freshwater on our world. The rate at which they may be melting or growing is one of the finest indications of environment modification. The demise of glaciers is one of the main causes of sea-level increase. Lots of glaciers in Patagonia have pulled away over the last 50 years. Satellite data can assist monitor modifications in glacier level, thickness, and mass and, subsequently, their contribution to increasing water level.
This Copernicus Sentinel-2 image showcases glaciers and lakes of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field in between Chile and Argentina. As important indicators of climate modification, the retreat of these glaciers over the previous years has implications for rising water level. Credit: Contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2023 ), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO
The Southern Patagonian Ice Field, straddling Chile and Argentina, is among the biggest ice masses outside polar areas. A recent image from Copernicus Sentinel-2 highlights its stunning glaciers and aquamarine lakes.
Part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field with its white glaciers and aquamarine lakes is included in this Copernicus Sentinel-2 image from January 10, 2023.
Straddling the border of Chile and Argentina, the ice field stretches throughout the Patagonian Andes for more than 350 km (220 miles) and is one of the largest ice masses on Earth outside the polar regions.