Here’s an interesting graphic from Shiaiwa et al (Ann Glac 2002) showing dO18 for the top 30+ meters of the Glaciar Tyndall, Patagonia (by comparison, the Kilimanjaro glacier is only about 50 m thick and Thompson’s Himalaya glaciers (other than Guliya Core 2) are about 100-150 meters thick. You will notice sharper dO18 definition in the 10 meters of the core.
Shiraiwa et al (Ann Glac 2002) reported that a 45.97m long ice core was recovered from the accumulation area of Glaciar Tyndall (50 59 05S,73 31 12W; 1756 ma.s.l.), Campo de Hielo Patagonico Sur (southern Patagonia icefield), during December1999.
By the way, this diagram covers about two years of accumulation. Shiraiwa et al:
Annual increments defined by the d18O and D-excess peaks suggest that the minimum net accumulation rates at this location were 17.8 m a-1 in 1997/98-1998/99 and ~11.0 m a-1 in 1998/99-1999/2000.
They expected relatively high accumulation rates, but not this high.
One Comment
Perhaps it is to be expected to get dramatically increased precipitation in South America during and shortly after the largest El Nino event of the last 25+ years.