Diego Francisco Cushquicullma-Colcha
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Research Interests
Diego Francisco Cushquicullma-Colcha has a total of 4 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Eduardo Antonio Muñoz Jácome
Faculty of Natural Resources, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Panamericana Sur, km 1.5, Riobamba 060155, Ecuador
1 shared publication - José Guerrero-Casado
Departamento de Zoología Universidad de Córdoba Córdoba Spain
1 shared publication - Maritza Lucia Vaca-Cárdenas
Faculty of Livestock Sciences, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Panamericana Sur, km 1.5, Riobamba 060155, Ecuador
1 shared publication - Pedro Vicente Vaca-Cárdenas
Programa de Doctorado Recursos Naturales y Gestión Sostenible, Universidad de Córdoba, 14071 Cordoba, Spain
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
The Recent Extinction of the Carihuairazo Volcano Glacier in the Ecuadorian Andes Using Multivariate Analysis Techniques
Climate change has accelerated the retreat of Andean glaciers, with significant recent losses in the tropical Andes. This study evaluates the extinction of the Carihuairazo volcano glacier (Ecuador), quantifying its area from 1312.5 m2 in September 2023 to 101.2 m2 in January 2024, its thickness (from 2.5 m to 0.71 m), and its volume (from 2638.85 m3 to 457.18 m3), before its complete deglaciation in February 2024; this rapid melting and its small size classify it as a glacierette. Multivariate analyses (PCA and biclustering) were performed to correlate climatic variables (temperature, solar radiation, precipitation, relative humidity, vapor pressure, and wind) with glacier surface and thickness. The PCA explained 70.26% of the total variance, with Axis 1 (28.01%) associated with extreme thermal conditions (temperatures up to 8.18 °C and radiation up to 16.14 kJ m−2 day−1), which probably drove its disappearance. Likewise, Axis 2 (21.56%) was related to favorable hydric conditions (precipitation between 39 and 94 mm) during the initial phase of glacier monitoring. Biclustering identified three groups of variables: Group 1 (temperature, solar radiation, and vapor pressure) contributed most to deglaciation; Group 2 (precipitation, humidity) apparently benefited initial stability; and Group 3 (wind) played a secondary role. These results, validated through in situ measurements, provide scientific evidence of the disappearance of the Carihuairazo volcano glacier by February 2024. They also corroborate earlier projections that anticipated its extinction by the middle of this decade. The early disappearance of this glacier highlights the vulnerability of small tropical Andean glaciers and underscores the urgent need for water security strategies focused on management, adaptation, and resilience.
Open AccessThe Recent Extinction of the Carihuairazo Volcano Glacier in the Ecuadorian Andes Using Multivariate Analysis Techniques
Climate change has accelerated the retreat of Andean glaciers, with significant recent losses in the tropical Andes. This study evaluates the extinction of the Carihuairazo volcano glacier (Ecuador), quantifying its area from 1312.5 m2 in September 2023 to 101.2 m2 in January 2024, its thickness (from 2.5 m to 0.71 m), and its volume (from 2638.85 m3 to 457.18 m3), before its complete deglaciation in February 2024; this rapid melting and its small size classify it as a glacierette. Multivariate analyses (PCA and biclustering) were performed to correlate climatic variables (temperature, solar radiation, precipitation, relative humidity, vapor pressure, and wind) with glacier surface and thickness. The PCA explained 70.26% of the total variance, with Axis 1 (28.01%) associated with extreme thermal conditions (temperatures up to 8.18 °C and radiation up to 16.14 kJ m−2 day−1), which probably drove its disappearance. Likewise, Axis 2 (21.56%) was related to favorable hydric conditions (precipitation between 39 and 94 mm) during the initial phase of glacier monitoring. Biclustering identified three groups of variables: Group 1 (temperature, solar radiation, and vapor pressure) contributed most to deglaciation; Group 2 (precipitation, humidity) apparently benefited initial stability; and Group 3 (wind) played a secondary role. These results, validated through in situ measurements, provide scientific evidence of the disappearance of the Carihuairazo volcano glacier by February 2024. They also corroborate earlier projections that anticipated its extinction by the middle of this decade. The early disappearance of this glacier highlights the vulnerability of small tropical Andean glaciers and underscores the urgent need for water security strategies focused on management, adaptation, and resilience.