Penitentes (also known as Nieves Penitentes) are spectacular snow formations found on very high altitude glaciers where the air is dry. They take the form of spectacular tall thin blades of hardened snow or ice. These pinnacles of snow or ice grow closely spaced where the blades are generally oriented towards the direction of the sun. Penitentes usually range from a few centimeters to two meters. However, penitentes as high as 5 meters has been recorded.
Penitentes form when the rays of the sun turn snow directly into water vapor without melting it first. This process of turning snow directly into water vapor is called sublimation. Smooth snow surface first develops depressions due to the fact that some regions randomly sublimate faster than others. Then the curved surfaces concentrate sunlight and sublimation in the depressions become faster. The higher points of the snow surface remains behind as forests of towering spikes.
Penitentes are commonly found on high altitude glaciers like the Andes mountains. They grow over all glaciated and snow-covered areas in the Andes at an altitude of above 4,000 meters. Penitentes are a common sight in the regions between Argentina and Chile. Penitentes can be as tall as a person in such locations. However, taller pinnacles of snow or ice can also be seen.
Penitentes form when the rays of the sun turn snow directly into water vapor without melting it first. This process of turning snow directly into water vapor is called sublimation. Smooth snow surface first develops depressions due to the fact that some regions randomly sublimate faster than others. Then the curved surfaces concentrate sunlight and sublimation in the depressions become faster. The higher points of the snow surface remains behind as forests of towering spikes.
Penitentes are commonly found on high altitude glaciers like the Andes mountains. They grow over all glaciated and snow-covered areas in the Andes at an altitude of above 4,000 meters. Penitentes are a common sight in the regions between Argentina and Chile. Penitentes can be as tall as a person in such locations. However, taller pinnacles of snow or ice can also be seen.
