We, a delegation from the German Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR), carried out a reconnaissance mission to the Chilean Andes to strengthen bilateral cooperation in natural hazard assessment and risk management. We investigated debris-flow hazards around Osorno Volcano and in the Cajón del Maipo, where recent events underline the importance of integrated monitoring and mitigation strategies. We engaged in technical exchanges with SERNAGEOMIN, the Universidad de La Frontera (UFRO, Temuco; Ivo Fustos), SERNAPRED, CopLAC Chile, and the German-Chilean Chamber of Commerce (AHK Chile). Through this recon-mission, we gained first-hand insights into Chilean initiatives on volcanic and hydrometeorological hazards and identified opportunities for collaboration on early warning systems, geomonitoring, and applied research in high-risk Andean environments.
This study compares short-term (decades) and long-term (millennia) erosion rates using sediment data. Despite logging, forest roads, wildfires (2015, 2017), and an 8.8-magnitude earthquake (2010), recent erosion rates remain low. Suspended-sediment loads have declined since 1986, in line with decreasing rainfall and streamflow. This contradicts expectations, suggesting erosion is underestimated because reduced rainfall masks sediment transport. Overall, both human activity and climate changes contribute to landscape degradation in complex ways.
Thanks Erkan for visiting Potsdam and our Department. We had a good time jontly working on the conceptualization of a model to simulate 'suicidal forests'. The first simulations look promising and built on tremendous work priviously done by Sina.
We introduce the Pumalín CZO, the first of its kind in Chilean Patagonia, representing an undisturbed ecosystem. Our research focuses on four key areas: (1) carbon storage, (2) biota-driven landscape changes, (3) water and energy fluxes, and (4) disturbance impacts. Using advanced, low-impact monitoring techniques like environmental seismology, we aim to understand how forests influence surface processes and carbon cycling. This integrated approach reinforces the need for conservation efforts along Chile’s coast.
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At EGU General Assembly, I presented our joint work exploring the exceptionally high erosion rates under dense Patagonian Rainforest and provided a new mechanistically explanation. You find the abstract and a link to the display material here.
Michael Manga presented our work on trees taking tremor at the EGU 2022, You find the abstract and a link to the display material here.
Violeta presented our work on balancing erosion effects of discrete disturbance events, connectivity and droughts at the EGU 2022. Find the abstract and the recorded video here.
Eric Parra proposed a rarely appreciated landslide trigger: Wind. And there is plenty of it in the Patagonian Andes. Check out the abstract of his talk presented at the EGU 2022 here.
04/2022 Climbing the Dolomites
What a great climbing trip this April. The Dolomites are the blast!