Aconcagua peak geodynamics from GPS observations, Mendoza, Argentina: preliminary results

In 2005, the SIGMA Program (Mount Aconcagua GNSS Research System) was implemented to investigate the geodynamics of the Aconcagua mountain region in the Central Andes. For this purpose, a continuously recording GPS station, ACON, was installed on the summit of Mount Aconcagua at 6.292 ma.s.l. The installation required special technology to support the equipment under extreme climatic conditions. The power supply system was optimized in 2008, so that a greater quantity of data could be recorded. This, in turn, will lead to more accurate estimates of displacement of the Aconcagua peak. Preliminary results from the ACON station indicate an average horizontal velocity of 0.023±0.0001 m/yr toward NE in 2 time windows between 2006 and 2008.