Geomorphological Setting of the Cordillera Blanca

Surface processes and landforms in the Cordillera Blanca has been studied by several research teams over the years, especially because of the various types of natural hazards and glaciers that are found in the region. Pronounced neotectonic activity has influenced several geomorphological processes, such as fluvial erosion and slope movements. The landscape is usually highly dissected by processes influenced by endogenous activity (e.g., tectonic activity) as well as by exogenous processes (e.g., erosion and slope movements) whose intensity varies in space and time. Also, the large relief differences support the intensity of ongoing processes. Most dynamic processes are usually triggered by earthquakes or intensive precipitations (during the rainy season or El Niño period) and different processes can influence each other in terms of triggers. It is reasonable to expect that ongoing climate changes as well as deglaciation will influence future dynamic morphological processes.