Phys.org September 12, 2023
An international team of researchers (UK, Italy, Germany, USA – University of Alaska, Cornell University) studied 600 glaciers located on and near 37 ice-clad volcanoes in South America. The results demonstrated glacier sensitivity to volcanic heat. They distinguished between “volcanic glaciers” and “proximal glaciers” and calculated their equilibrium line altitudes (ELAs). For each ice-clad volcano, they compared the ELAs of its volcanic glaciers to those of its proximal glaciers and established volcanic thermal anomaly. Results highlighted the impact of volcanic heat on glacier elevation; emphasized the need to exclude glaciers on, or near, volcanoes from glacier-climate investigations; and demonstrated the first-order potential for glaciers as “volcanic thermometers.” According to the researchers volcanic-glacier monitoring could contribute to understanding the magmatic and thermal activity, with changes in glacier geometries potentially reflecting long-term fluctuations in volcanic heat and unrest… read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador…. Credit: Shutterstock