Twelfth International Conference on Climate Change: Impacts & Responses

Abstract

Tropical glaciers are important natural resources, in that they play a prominent role in water supply in the dry season. The majority of the tropical glaciers worldwide are located in the Peruvian Andes, where the largest tropical ice cap on earth (Quelccaya) is found. Here we present a multi-temporal diagnosis of the Quelccaya cap located in the southern Andes of Peru, covering the period from 1984 to 2019. The cap extensions are derived from Landsat sensor images (TM, ETM+M and OLI/TIRS). For the mapping of the ice cap and formation of glacial lakes, the spectral indices NDSI (Normalized Difference Snow Index) and NDWI (Normalized Difference Water Index) were used. The results of this research show evidence of a decrease in the cap during the last thirty-five years, which has an effect and inversely proportional relationship with the increase in the extent of glacial lake surfaces. Thus, it is hoped that this research will provide updated information to the scientific community and managers in the region.