The existing glaciers of the Iberian Peninsula: The Central Pyrenees

Abstract:

The Pyrenees are home to 19 glaciers distributed over 10 different massifs. The Pyrenean glaciers are very small and are located in deep cirques facing north, under rock walls 100-250 m high. The topoclimatic factors, together with the low solar irradiance and the altitude at foot of summits exceeding 3000 m, favor their persistence. The thickness and extent of all the glaciers have reduced during the last 130 years. As of 2019, 91% of the total glacier surface area and more than half of the Pyrenean glaciers existing at the end of the 19th century had disappeared. The glaciers have been retreating since 1850, and today, they occupy only 183.6 ha after nine historical stages of advance and retreat. The changes in the mass, surface, and ice thickness balances show the degradation and the endangering of the Pyrenean glaciers, which may disappear toward the middle of the 21st century, with important ecological consequences for the high mountains. These glaciers represent natural heritage that is disappearing, but they have left a remarkable cultural legacy for these mountain regions.

Año de publicación:

2021

Keywords:

• Pyrenees
• global change
• Glaciers
• Ice extent

Fuente:

scopus