Spatio-Temporal Variability of Supraglacial Ponds and Ice Cliffs on Verde Glacier, Chile.

Supraglacial ponds and ice cliffs are common features on debris-covered glaciers. They have been described as local melt enhancers, as they absorb and transfer atmospheric energy to the underlying ice. In this study we use high resolution satellite imagery to describe pond-cliff systems on Verde debris-covered glacier, located on Tronador volcano, Southern Chile. We detected high variability in ponds number and extent over the period. Ponds and ice cliffs represent up to 0.4% and 2.5% of the glacier debris-covered area, respectively. Ice cliff backwasting about several hundred meters is observed, highlighting significant glacier disintegration. Using feature tracking, we determined glacier surface velocity, finding values up to 60 m yr^-1 on the upper part of the debris-covered area, and decreasing towards the terminus. Preliminary results show that big ponds develop in glacier zones of low velocity, while zones of high velocity only contain small ponds. Further investigation should provide insight into the morphodynamic characteristics of supraglacial ponds and ice cliffs on debris-covered glaciers. Such results can help better understand their role on the ablation processes, as well as their interconnection with the hydrological network of DCGs.