Articles | Volume 18, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-345-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-18-345-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Data description article
| 
14 Jan 2026
Data description article |
| 14 Jan 2026
| 14 Jan 2026
A comprehensive rock glacier inventory for the Peruvian Andes (PRoGI): dataset, characterization and topoclimatic attributes
Research Center for Environmental Earth Science and Technology (ESAT), Santiago Antunez de Mayolo National University (UNASAM), Huaraz, 02002, Peru
Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Santiago Antunez de Mayolo National University (UNASAM), Huaraz, 02002, Peru
Departamento de Geografí, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Hairo León
Research Center for Environmental Earth Science and Technology (ESAT), Santiago Antunez de Mayolo National University (UNASAM), Huaraz, 02002, Peru
Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Santiago Antunez de Mayolo National University (UNASAM), Huaraz, 02002, Peru
Edwin Badillo-Rivera
Research Center for Environmental Earth Science and Technology (ESAT), Santiago Antunez de Mayolo National University (UNASAM), Huaraz, 02002, Peru
Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Natural Resources, National University of Callao, Bellavista, 07011, Peru
Research Center Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management, National University of Callao, Bellavista, 07011, Peru
Edwin Loarte
Research Center for Environmental Earth Science and Technology (ESAT), Santiago Antunez de Mayolo National University (UNASAM), Huaraz, 02002, Peru
Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Santiago Antunez de Mayolo National University (UNASAM), Huaraz, 02002, Peru
Xavier Bodín
Laboratoire EDYTEM, Université Savoie Mont Blanc, CNRS, Le Bourget-du-Lac, 73370, France
José Úbeda
Departamento de Geografí, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Departamento de Ciencias de la Tierra, Guías de Espeleología y Montaña, Casilla del Mortero, 28189 Torremocha de Jarama, Spain
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We present a representative set of data of interpreted ice thickness and ice surface elevation of the ablation area of the Artesonraju glacier between 2012 and 2020. The results show a maximum depth of 235 ± 18 m and a decreasing mean depth ranging from 134 ± 18 m in 2013 to 110 ± 18 m in 2020. Additionally, we estimate a mean ice thickness change rate of −4.2 ± 3.2 m yr−1 between 2014 and 2020, which is in agreement with the elevation change in the same period of −3.2 ± 0.2 m yr−1.
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Short summary
We created the first comprehensive inventory of Peru's rock glaciers: 2338 landforms in the Andes and filling the information gap in this mountainous region. Using satellite imagery, we mapped their distribution, finding most of them in southern Peru, above 4800 m a.s.l. and conditioned mainly by low temperature and precipitation. This dataset helps scientists to follow the evolution of permafrost and local planners to manage water resources and risks in the mountains.
We created the first comprehensive inventory of Peru's rock glaciers: 2338 landforms in the...
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