Glacial cover mapping (1987-1996) of the Cordillera Blanca (Peru) using satellite imagery

By means of Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) computations on TM images, an estimate of the glacierized area in Cordillera Blanca (Peru) was carried out for 1987 (643±63 km2) and 1996 (600±61 km2). Compared to an estimate of 721 km2 in 1970, it can be concluded that the glacier area has retreated in this massif by more than 15% in 25 years.