artículo
The alluvium of August 9, 2015 in Alto Patache, Tarapaca region, Atacama Desert
Fecha
2017Registro en:
0718-3402
WOS:000432290800005
Autor
Orellana, Hector
Garcia, Juan Luis
Ramirez, Carla
Zanetta, Nicolas
Institución
Resumen
During the 09 August 2015 (strong El Nino year) heavy rains fell in the coastal Atacama Desert, including our Research Station Atacama UC_Alto Patache (cordillera de la Costa, Tarapaca Region). In this study we provide a detailed analysis of the meteorology and hydrogeomorphic response to the 51,6 mm in 6 hours of rain recorded in Alto Patache. In our control basin (7.2 Ha) we estimated a maximum erosion of similar to 1070 m(3), which were partially stored in the distal alluvial fan, where we quantified 637 m3 of material. We estimated a mean water discharge of 11 m(3) s(-1) at the lower basin. The comparison between the meteorological and morphostratigraphical data allows us to define three phases that best characterize the anatomy of the 9A: Initial, Peak and End. We conclude that Alto Patache embraces an overall geomorphic stability that is interrupted recurrently by debris flows linkable to ENSO variability.