Penitentes in the Andes
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Penitentes in the Andes

by Christoph Schmidt, University of Bayreuth

This photo was taken in the Bolivian Andes at an altitude of around 4400 m. The climatic conditions here favour a dew point below zero and spatially variable ablation of snow. A positive feedback ends up in the formation of so-called penitents, i.e. long and pointed remains of a formerly comprehensive snow field.

Winner in the EGU Photo Competition 2017