Browsing by Author "Zanetta, Nicolas"

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    Effects on the flora and vegetation of the extreme precipitation event of August 2015 in Alto Patache, Atacama Desert, Chile
    (PONTIFICA UNIV CATOLICA CHILE, INST GEOGRAFIA, 2017) Pliscoff, Patricio; Zanetta, Nicolas; Hepp, Josefina; Machuca, Javiera
    During the extreme precipitation event related with "El Nino", which occurred in August 2015 on the coast of the Tarapaca region, Atacama Desert, rainfall of 50 mm was recorded at the Alto Patache Fog Oasis (annual average of 1 mm), activating germination of many species present on the site. After the event, transects were demarcated and the presence and dominance of vegetation was recorded. The floristic data identified was compared with historical records and related with the distribution of fog, measured between the years 2001 and 2002. Results show 42 species identified, 78% of all known plants in the area, with one new record (Tiquilia sp.). The floristic analysis allowed the identification of three vegetation units, and a greater diversity of species was observed in lower areas of the coastal mountain chain.
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    The alluvium of August 9, 2015 in Alto Patache, Tarapaca region, Atacama Desert
    (PONTIFICA UNIV CATOLICA CHILE, INST GEOGRAFIA, 2017) Orellana, Hector; Garcia, Juan Luis; Ramirez, Carla; Zanetta, Nicolas
    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.