The rock glaciers of the Aconquija range, Argentina

Acta Geològica Lilloana 25(1-2)2013

Abstract

The rock glaciers of the Aconquija range, Argentina”. An inventory of rock glaciers in the Aconquija Range, Argentina, is presented here. 246 intact rock glaciers (area: 16.46 km squares) and 16 debris-covered glaciers (area: 1.17 km squares) have been recognized in three major basins and 15 sub-basins of the studied area, covering a total of 17.63 km squares. Most of the intact rock glaciers are located on the eastern slope of the Aconquija Range. Their fronts are mainly exposed to the south, showing a strong dependence on solar radia- tion. The lower limit of mountain permafrost in the Aconquija Range is marked by the occur- rence of intact rock glaciers at 4000 ± 200 meters above sea level. The average annual temperature (2°C) at this height would indicate permafrost of azonal type.