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As the world's glaciers recede in response to a warming atmosphere, a change in the magnitude and frequency of related hazards is expected. Among the most destructive hazards are glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs), and their future evolution is concerning for local populations and sustainable development policy. Central to this is a better understanding of triggers. There is a long‐standing assumption that earthquakes are a major GLOF trigger, and seismic activity is consistently included as a key hazard assessment criterion. Here, we provide the first empirical evidence that this assumption is largely incorrect. Focusing on the Tropical Andes, we show that, of 59 earthquakes (1900–2021) the effects of which intersect with known glacier lakes, only one has triggered GLOFs. We argue that, to help develop climate resilient protocols, the focus for future assessments should be on understanding other key GLOF drivers, such as thawing permafrost and underlying structural geology. Plain Language Summary: Climate change is increasing glacier melt in high mountains and increasing the size and number of glacial lakes. Over time, these lakes may drain catastrophically to generate glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs), which can devastate downstream communities and destroy valuable infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and hydroelectric power facilities. As a result, many risk assessments have been carried out to understand what the triggers of GLOFs might be, in order to better predict their occurrence. One of the main triggers has been assumed to be earthquakes, but this association has not been properly tested. In this paper, we use earthquake and GLOF data from the Peruvian and Bolivian Andes to test this and find that there is little association between earthquakes and GLOFs. We conclude by arguing that focus needs to be on other GLOF triggers, and earthquake activity should be used as a secondary – not primary – indicator in GLOF susceptibility studies. Key Points: Glacier lake outburst floods (GLOFs) are a major risk concern, with earthquakes being commonly considered effective triggers in hazard assessmentsOf 59 earthquakes (1900–2021), the effects of which intersect lakes in the Tropical Andes, only one triggered GLOFsWe suggest that earthquake activity should be used as a secondary – not primary – susceptibility indicator for GLOFs [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glaciers in the Andes of Chile seem to be shrinking and possibly loosing mass, but the number and types of studies conducted, constrained mainly by data availability, are not sufficient to provide a synopsis of glacier changes for the past or future or explain in an explicit way causes of the observed changes. In this paper, we provide a systematic review of changes in glaciers for the entire country, followed by a discussion of the studies that have provided evidence of such changes. We identify a missing type of work in distributed, physically-oriented modelling studies that are needed to bridge the gap between the numerous remote sensing studies and the specific, point scale works focused on process understanding. We use an advanced mass balance model applied to one of the best monitored glaciers in the region to investigate four main research issues that should be addressed in modelling studies for a sound assessment of glacier changes: 1) the use of physically-based models of glacier ablation (energy balance models) versus more empirical models (enhanced temperature index approaches); 2) the importance of the correct extrapolation of air temperature forcing on glaciers and in high elevation areas and the large uncertainty in model outputs associated with it; 3) the role played by snow gravitational redistribution; and 4) the uncertainty associated with future climate scenarios. We quantify differences in model outputs associated with each of these choices, and conclude with suggestions for future work directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper documents the occurrence of the Little Ice Age (LIA) in the El Azufre and El Peñón glaciers at 35°S and in the Las Choicas and Las Damas glaciers at 34°55′S in the headwaters of the Rio Grande basin in the Central Andes of Argentina. Moraine morphology, stratigraphic relationships, radiocarbon ages obtained from peat on these glacial deposits and the proximity to the active glaciers enabled us to reconstruct the LIA advance in this area. The LIA maximum advance occurred between cal. yr 1550 and 1720 AD, and a readvance occurred around cal. yr 1830 AD. In addition, glacier fluctuations of the Las Vacas and Güssfeltd glaciers (33°S) and El Peñón and El Azufre glaciers were documented from the end of the 19th century to the present based on historical and aerial photographs, and satellite images. The glaciers showed a marked retreat during 1894–2007. Minor readvances occurred in the 1980s and 1990s, which could be related with strong warm ENSO events during these decades. Our results are consistent with observations made by other authors in the region. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents an updated, extensive review of glacier fluctuations during the past 1000years in the extratropical Andes of South America between ca. 17° and 55°S. Given the variety of environmental conditions and evidence available for glacier fluctuations across this wide latitudinal range, regional accounts are given for the Desert Andes (∼17°–31°S), the Andes of central Chile and Argentina (31°–36°S), and the North (36°–45°S) and South (45°–55°S) Patagonian Andes. The techniques, dating limitations, and interpretations of the glacier records along this transect are also discussed. Information on glacier fluctuations in the Desert Andes is limited to the 20th century. Documentation on past glacier variations is more abundant in the Central Chilean-Argentinean Andes, but the number of chronologies dealing with glacier fluctuations prior to the 1900s is also limited. Most records indicate that glaciers were generally more extensive prior to the 20th century, with dates of maximum expansion ranging from the 16th to the 19th centuries. The number and extent of glaciers increase significantly in the Patagonian region, where the evidence available for dating glacier variations during the past centuries is more abundant and the dating control for glacier events is generally better than in the northern parts of the study area. For some Patagonian glaciers, maximum Little Ice Age (LIA) or post-LIA advances have been precisely dated by dendro-geomorphological determinations or in situ measurements. However, for most sites, the evidence available is still preliminary and there is considerable variability in the extent and timing of events related to the maximum LIA expansion identified in most areas between the 16th and 19th centuries. Evidence is starting to appear at a growing number of sites for glacier advances during the first half of the past millennium. These events were generally less extensive than the LIA maximum pulses. Despite the occurrence of several post-LIA readvances over the past 100–110years, most areas in the Andes of extratropical South America have experienced a general pattern of glacier recession and significant ice mass losses. The differences in the glacier histories observed at local and regional scales probably reflect the inherent limitations associated with the glacier records and/or the dating techniques used in each case together with the varying dominance of precipitation, temperature and other climatic and non-climatic factors on glacier mass balance and glacier dynamics. These differences indicate that the late Holocene glacier history of southern South America is more complex than commonly assumed. The evidence discussed in this study highlights not only the immense potential for glaciological studies of this region but also a significant need for an increased number of detailed, well-dated records of glacier fluctuations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Glacier recession in response to climate warming has resulted in an increase in the size and number of glacial lakes. Glacial lakes are an important focus for research as they impact water resources, glacier mass balance, and some produce catastrophic glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Glaciers in Peru have retreated and thinned in recent decades, prompting the need for monitoring of ice- and water-bodies across the cordilleras. These monitoring efforts have been greatly facilitated by the availability of satellite imagery. However, knowledge gaps remain, particularly in relation to the formation, temporal evolution, and catastrophic drainage of glacial lakes. In this paper we address this gap by producing the most current and detailed glacial lake inventory in Peru and provide a set of reproducible methods that can be applied consistently for different time periods, and for other mountainous regions. The new lake inventory presented includes a total of 4557 glacial lakes covering a total area of 328.85 km2. In addition to detailing lake distribution and extent, the inventory includes other metrics, such as dam type and volume, which are important for GLOF hazard assessments. Analysis of these metrics showed that the majority of glacial lakes are detached from current glaciers (97%) and are classified as either embedded (i.e. bedrock dammed; ~64% of all lakes) or (moraine) dammed (~28% of all lakes) lakes. We also found that lake size varies with dam type; with dammed lakes tending to have larger areas than embedded lakes. The inventory presented provides an unparalleled view of the current state of glacial lakes in Peru and represents an important first step towards (1) improved understanding of glacial lakes and their topographic and morphological characteristics and (2) assessing risk associated with GLOFs. • We present a new contemporary and comprehensive lake inventory for the Peruvian Cordilleras • We provide a set of inventorying methods to facilitate replicability in other locations, globally • We record and analyse a number of important lake metrics for understanding GLOF hazards • We estimate lake volume in all glaciated cordilleras and compare these with other studies [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resolving the history of vegetation, fire, and glaciation on the eastern slope of the central Patagonian Andes (44°-49°S) since the Last Glacial Termination (T1) has proved difficult. This is due to the steep environmental gradients, vegetation heterogeneity, and scarcity of dated glacial deposits and geomorphic features. Unsurprisingly, published records show important heterogeneities which limit our understanding of the timing and magnitude of climate and vegetation changes, and their driving mechanisms since T1. In this paper, we describe sediment cores from small closed-basin lakes located in the deciduous Nothofagus forest zone near Coyhaique, Chile. Our results indicate that the Coyhaique glacier lobe abandoned its final Last Glacial Maximum position just before ~17.9 cal kyr BP and underwent a step-wise recession that included a halt/readvance that culminated at ~16.8 cal kyr BP, contemporaneous with the formation of an ice-dammed proglacial lake in the Coyhaique/Balmaceda sector. This glacial lake stood at its highest level between ~17.9–17.2 cal kyr BP (<726 and > 650 m.a.s.l.), lowered between ~17.2–16.2 cal kyr BP (<650 and > 570 m.a.s.l.), and disappeared thereafter. Herbs and shrubs, currently dominant in high Andean and Patagonian steppe environments, colonized the ice-free terrains distal to the glacier margins and proglacial lakes under cold and dry conditions. This was followed by a steady increase in Nothofagus between ~16.6–14.8 cal kyr BP that led to the establishment of forests starting at ~14.8 cal kyr BP. The Holocene started with a sudden increase in Nothofagus and disappearance of conifers in the context of increase fire activity between ~11.7–9.4 cal kyr BP. Closed-canopy Nothofagus forests persisted virtually unaltered from ~9.4 cal kyr BP to the present day, despite frequent explosive volcanism and millennial-scale variations in fire regimes, attesting to their extraordinary postglacial resilience which contrasts with their behavior during T1. Recent large-scale deforestation by fire, livestock grazing, and the spread of non-native invasive plant species drove the fastest and largest-magnitude shifts seen during the last ~16,500 years. • Glacial retreat began at ~17.9 ka and followed a stepwise pattern until ~16.2 ka. • Arboreal Pollen rose at ~16.6 ka driven by stronger Southern Westerly Winds (SWW). • Rainforest conifers peaked between ~14.8–11.7 ka suggesting maximum SWW influence. • Fires and disappearance of conifers suggest weak SWW between ~11.7–9.4 ka. • Extraordinarily resilient Nothofagus forests have persisted since ~9.4 ka. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstructing the evolution of the glacial landscape of the semi-arid Andes (32°–34° S) during phases of Holocene deglaciation is key to understand the responses of the cryosphere during warmer periods such as the current one. Despite having geomorphological records with good degrees of preservation, few studies have addressed the changes of the Andes during the glacial-paraglacial transition. In this paper, we investigate and compare geomorphological mappings of four glacial sub-basins of the central Andes of Chile: Juncal Norte (32° S, glacier terminus at ~ 3000 m asl.), Loma Larga (33° S, terminus at ~ 3000 m asl.), Nieves Negras (33° S, terminus at ~ 3000 m asl.), and Universidad (34° S, terminus at ~ 2500 m asl.). The ablation zones of Loma Larga and Nieves Negras glaciers have a mantle of debris, which suggests a process of ablation in situ rather than retreat of the glacier tongue. Both glaciers have a morphology of internal collapse in their debris-covered section. On the other hand, Juncal Norte and Universidad glaciers both have lateral moraines with ice cores, where the differential ablation has triggered backwasting and downwasting processes. The presence of ice-cored lateral moraines indicates greater activity of processes in the lateral sections. The Universidad glacier is characterized by two branches feeding the glacier tongue which shows a prominent medial moraine.For the first time in this part of the Andes, we used 36Cl terrestrial cosmogenic nuclides (TCN) for dating deglaciation geomorphology. We complement our 36Cl data with 14C ages that suggest that glaciers advanced before ~2500 and then before ~850/1000 years BP.The combination of the geomorphology and the geochronology in the different proglacial areas allows the analysis of the deglaciation history and related processes. Identifying how ablation occurs in semi-arid mountain environments is important to assess the behaviour of ice under changing climatic conditions and its preservation under a cover of debris. One of the characteristics and challenges of the deglaciation in the semi-arid Andes is the high production of debris in the ablation zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]