Abstract:The contribution to sea level rise from Patagonian icefields is one of the largest mass losses outside the large ice sheets of Antarctica and Greenland. However, only a few studies have provided large-scale assessments in a spatially detailed way to address the reaction of individual glaciers in Patagonia and hence to better understand and explain the underlying processes. In this work, we use repeat radar interferometric measurements of the German TerraSAR-X-Add-on for Digital Elevation Measurements (TanDEM-X) satellite constellation between 2011/12 and 2016 together with the digital elevation model from the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) in 2000 in order to derive surface elevation and mass changes of the Southern Patagonia Icefield (SPI). Our results reveal a mass loss rate of −11.84 ± 3.3 Gt·a −1 (corresponding to 0.033 ± 0.009 mm·a −1 sea level rise) for an area of 12573 km 2 in the period 2000-2015/16. This equals a specific glacier mass balance of −0.941 ± 0.19 m w.e.·a −1 for the whole SPI. These values are comparable with previous estimates since the 1970s, but a magnitude larger than mass change rates reported since the Little Ice Age. The spatial pattern reveals that not all glaciers respond similarly to changes and that various factors need to be considered in order to explain the observed changes. Our multi-temporal coverage of the southern part of the SPI (south of 50.3 • S) shows that the mean elevation change rates do not vary significantly over time below the equilibrium line. However, we see indications for more positive mass balances due to possible precipitation increase in 2014 and 2015. We conclude that bi-static radar interferometry is a suitable tool to accurately measure glacier volume and mass changes in frequently cloudy regions. We recommend regular repeat TanDEM-X acquisitions to be scheduled for the maximum summer melt extent in order to minimize the effects of radar signal penetration and to increase product quality.

We present a satellite-derived glacier inventory for the whole Patagonian Andes south of 45. 5 • S and Tierra del Fuego including recent changes. Landsat TM/ETM+ and OLI satellite scenes were used to detect changes in the glacierized area between 1986, 2005 and 2016 for all of the 11,209 inventoried glaciers using a semi-automated procedure. Additionally we used geomorphological evidence, such as moraines and trimlines to determine the glacierized area during the Little Ice Age for almost 90% of the total glacierized area. Within the last ∼150 years the glacierized area was reduced from 28,091 ± 890 km 2 to 22,636 ± 905 km 2 , marking an absolute area loss of 5,455 ± 1,269 km 2 (19.4 ± 4.5%). For the whole study region, the annual area decrease was moderate until 1986 with 0.10 ± 0.04% a −1. Afterwards the area reduction increased, reaching annual values of 0.33 ± 0.28% a −1 and 0.25 ± 0.50% a −1 for the periods of 1986-2005 and 2005-2016, respectively. There is a high variability of change rates throughout the Patagonian Andes. Small glaciers, especially in the north of the Northern Patagonian Icefield (NPI) and between the latter and the Southern Patagonian Icefield (SPI) had over all periods the highest rates of shrinkage, exceeding 0.92 ± 1.22% a −1 during 2005-2016. In the mountain range of the Cordillera Darwin (CD), and also accounting for small ice fields south of 52 • S, highest rates of shrinkage occurred during 1986-2005, reaching values up to 0.45 ± 0.23% a −1 , but decreased during the 2005-2016 period. Across the Andean main crest, the eastern parts of the NPI, SPI and adjoined glaciers had in absolute values the highest area reduction exceeding 2,145 ± 486 km 2 since the LIA. Large calving glaciers show a smaller relative decrease rate compared to land-terminating glaciers but account for the most absolute area loss. In general, glacier shrinkage is dependent on latitude, the initial glacier area, the environment of the glacial tongue (calving or non-calving glaciers) and in parts by glacial aspect.

Tree-ring chronologies underpin the majority of annually-resolved reconstructions of Common Era climate. However, they are derived using different datasets and techniques, the ramifications of which have hitherto been little explored. Here, we report the results of a double-blind experiment that yielded 15 Northern Hemisphere summer temperature reconstructions from a common network of regional tree-ring width datasets. Taken together as an ensemble, the Common Era reconstruction mean correlates with instrumental temperatures from 1794–2016 CE at 0.79 (p < 0.001), reveals summer cooling in the years following large volcanic eruptions, and exhibits strong warming since the 1980s. Differing in their mean, variance, amplitude, sensitivity, and persistence, the ensemble members demonstrate the influence of subjectivity in the reconstruction process. We therefore recommend the routine use of ensemble reconstruction approaches to provide a more consensual picture of past climate variability.

Abstract. The southern tip of South America, commonly referred to as Patagonia, is a key area to understand Southern Hemisphere Westerlies (SHW) dynamics and orographic isotope effects in precipitation. However, only few studies have addressed these topics. We evaluated the stable isotope (δ2H, δ18O) compositions of precipitation, lentic waters, and lotic waters in that area to characterize and understand isotope fractionation processes associated with orographic rainout, moisture recycling and moisture sources. Observational data were interpreted with the help of backward trajectory modelling of moisture sources using reanalysis climate data. While the Pacific serves as the exclusive moisture source for sites upwind of the Andes and on the immediate downwind area of the Andes, recycled moisture from the continent seems to be the main humidity source at the Patagonian Atlantic coast. In contrast, the Pampean Atlantic coast north of Patagonia obtains moisture from the Atlantic Ocean. In the core zone of the SHW at a latitude of 50° S, a depletion in the heavy isotopes of 10 ‰ and 85 ‰, for δ18O and δ2H, respectively, occurs due to orographic rainout corresponding to a drying ratio of 0.45.

Lacustrine sequences were obtained from Laguna Verde and Laguna Gemelas Este, two small lakes 43 located east of the southern Patagonian Ice Field and close to the village of El Chaltén in Argentinian 44 Patagonia. Four tephra layers were identified in each of these short sedimentary sequences and 45 characterised using individual glass-shard tephra chemistry to determine provenance. In order to 46 understand the impact of the tephra deposits on lake ecosystems, bulk sediment geochemistry and 47 diatom assemblages were analysed. Age-depth models for the cores were established by radiometric 48 dating using 137 Cs and 210 Pb measurements. 49