Abstract. In this paper we assess South American monsoon system (SAMS) variability in the last millennium as depicted by global coupled climate model simulations. Highresolution proxy records for the South American monsoon over this period show a coherent regional picture of a weak monsoon during the Medieval Climate Anomaly and a stronger monsoon during the Little Ice Age (LIA). Due to the small external forcing during the past 1000 years, model simulations do not show very strong temperature anomalies over these two specific periods, which in turn do not translate into clear precipitation anomalies, in contrast with the rainfall reconstructions in South America. Therefore, we used an ad hoc definition of these two periods for each model simulation in order to account for model-specific signals. Thereby, several coherent large-scale atmospheric circulation anomalies are identified. The models feature a stronger monsoon during the LIA associated with (i) an enhancement of the rising motion in the SAMS domain in austral summer; (ii) a stronger monsoon-related upper-tropospheric anticyclone; (iii) activation of the South American dipole, which results in a poleward shift of the South Atlantic Convergence Zone; and (iv) a weaker upper-level subtropical jet over South America. The diagnosed changes provide important insights into the mechanisms of these climate anomalies over South America during the past millennium.

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RESUMEN.La costa del Desierto de Atacama se caracteriza por la ocurrencia de vientos fuertes del sur y suroeste. El clima árido, la geomorfología plana y las características granulométricas de los depósitos superficiales de la Pampa Mejillones, ubicada en la costa del norte de Chile (23ºS), favorecen el estudio de los procesos de erosión y transporte eólico de partículas en este desierto costero. Mediciones in situ del flujo horizontal de partículas (G) y de vientos, junto con análisis sedimentológicos de la capa superficial de esta pampa, permitieron determinar los parámetros relevantes en el proceso de erosión y transporte eólico de partículas, así como estimar su estacionalidad. Se determinó un coeficiente de rugosidad superficial (z 0 ) promedio del orden de 10 -3 m, típico de planicies desérticas. Estacionalmente se observaron valores de G de hasta 2.100 g cm -1 mes -1 asociados a velocidades de fricción (u*) entre 0,4 y 0,5 m s -1 durante la primavera del año 2000. Resultados similares se obtuvieron para los años 1999 y 2001. La sedimentología (granulometría y textura superficial) y mineralogía de las partículas del suelo y del material capturado en las trampas de polvo, permitieron determinar que la fracción transportada está caracterizada principalmente por cuarzo y feldespatos, y modas granulométricas entre 75 y 1.000 µm, similares a las observadas en los sedimentos cercanos y al sur (viento arriba) del área de captura. Los resultados obtenidos y la correlación preliminar entre los vientos medidos en distintas estaciones meteorológicas en la península de Mejillones, permiten establecer una relación directa entre el flujo horizontal de partículas hacia la bahía homónima y los vientos regionales del sur-suroeste, especialmente durante los meses de primavera y verano, en concomitancia con la intensificación de los vientos favorables a la surgencia costera en el área oceánica adyacente. ABSTRACT. Seasonality of erosion and eolian particle transport in the coastal Atacama Desert, Chile (23ºS).The coast of the Atacama Desert is characterized by the occurrence of strong south-and southwesterly winds. The arid climate, flat geomorphology and the characteristics of the superficial sediments on Pampa Mejillones, located in northern Chile (ca. 23°S), favor the study of eolian erosion and transport processes in this coastal desert. In situ measurements of the horizontal particle flux (G) and winds in the area, together with sedimentological analyses of the uppermost part of the pampa sediments, allowed determination of the significant parameters in the eolian erosion and particle transport process and its seasonality. A local surface roughness parameter (z 0 ) of about 10 -3 m was calculated, which is a typical value of desert plains. Seasonally, values of G up to 2,100 g cm -1 month -1 were observed, associated with friction velocities (u*) between 0,4 and 0,5 m s -1 during the spring of 2000. Similar results were obtained for the years 1999 and 2001. The sedimentology (granulometry and surface texture) and miner...

Surface winds along the subtropical west coast of South America are characterized by the quasi-weekly occurrences of low-level jet events. These short lived but intense wind events impact the coastal ocean environment. Hence, identifying long-term trends in the coastal low-level jet (CLLJ) is essential for understanding changes in marine ecosystems. Here we use ERA5 reanalysis (1979–2019) and an objective algorithm to track anticyclones to investigate recent changes in CLLJ events off central Chile (25–43 °S). Results present evidence that the number of days with intense wind (≥10 ms−1), and the number and duration of CLLJ events have significantly changed off central Chile in recent decades. There is an increase in the number of CLLJ events in the whole study area during winter (June-July-August; JJA), while during summer (December–January–February; DJF) a decrease is observed at lower latitudes (29–34 °S), and an increase is found at the southern boundary of the Humboldt system. We suggest that changes in the central pressures and frequency of extratropical, migratory anticyclones that reach the coast of South America, which force CLLJs, have played an important role in the recent CLLJ changes observed in this region.

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Abstract. The South Pacific Subtropical High (SPSH) is a predominant feature of the South American climate. The variability of this high-pressure center induces changes in the intensity of coastal alongshore winds and precipitation, among others, over southwestern South America. In recent decades, strengthening and expansion of the SPSH have been observed and attributed to the current global warming. These changes have led to an intensification of the southerly winds along the coast of northern to central Chile and a decrease in precipitation from central to southern Chile. Motivated by improving our understanding about the regional impacts of climate change in this part of the Southern Hemisphere, we analyzed SPSH changes during the two most extreme climate events of the last millennium, the Little Ice Age (LIA) and the Current Warm Period (CWP: 1970–2000), based on paleoclimate records and CMIP5/PMIP3 model simulations. In order to assess the level of agreement of general circulation models, we also compare them with ERA-Interim reanalysis data for the 1979–2009 period as a complementary analysis. Finally, with the aim of evaluating future SPSH behavior, we include 21st century projections under a Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP8.5) scenario in our analyses. Our results indicate that during the relative warm (cold) period, the SPSH expands (contracts). Together with this change, alongshore winds intensify (weaken) south (north) of ∼35∘ S; also, southern westerly winds become stronger (weaker) and shift southward (northward). Model results generally underestimate reanalysis data. These changes are in good agreement with paleoclimate records, which suggest that these variations could be related to tropical climate dynamics but also to extratropical phenomena. However, although models adequately represent most of the South American climate changes, they fail to represent the Intertropical Convergence Zone–Hadley cell system dynamics, emphasizing the importance of improving tropical system dynamics in simulations for a better understanding of its effects on South America. Climate model projections indicate that changes recently observed will continue during the next decades, highlighting the need to establish effective mitigation and adaptation strategies against their environmental and socioeconomic impacts.

ABSTRACT. A recording of 1,115 gravimetric stations, the review of 368 wells, and the petrophysics measurements of 106 samples from representative outcrops have been used for a comprehensive geological/geophysical study of Santiago Basin. 2.5D and 3D gravimetric modeling, constrained by regional geology, soil and bedrock densities, edgebasin outcrops, depth (minimum) to basement from wells, and detailed modeling of heterogeneous bedrock and midcrustal blocks, provided a well-constrained depth to basement model. Model results indicate the presence of a relatively shallow basin with an average of 250 m depth, and three sub basins with depth in excess of 500 m, but comprising less than 30% of the basin surface. From erosion rates in central Chile we estimate a basin infill lasting between 10 to 20 Ma. Basement topography/geomorphology, undercover a structural pattern dominated by NE and NW-trending structures that can be traced out of the basin, westwards in the Coastal Cordillera and eastwards in the Main Cordillera, with second order relevance of NS structures in the eastern border of the basin. This observation, further supported by natural crustal seismicity and basement-derived-magnetic signatures, suggests that the basin origin is mainly controlled by inherited old structures oblique to the margin. Active seismicity along these traverse NE and NW structures suggest that permanent deformation, and associated seismic hazard in the basin is mostly concentrated along these structures. The dynamic response of soils, in terms of the natural resonance frequency, shows that the basement-to-sedimentary/ infilling-impedance-ratio is proportional to the amplitude of the resonance peak. On the other hand, the expected correlation between fundamental frequency and depth to basement is only partially supported by the empirical evidence. The difference between a greater gravimetric depth-to-basement compared to lesser seismic depth-to-basement, is attributed to changes in mechanical stiffness with depth compaction with minor effects in bulk density. Finally low enthalpy geothermal resources of the Santiago Basin is analyzed considering depth to bedrock, water table estimates and simple Darcy's-temperature coupled flow modeling. Results show that high groundwater temperature is restricted to deeper parts of southern sub-basin, which improves direct uses of geothermal energy for heating purposes. 148Gravity derived depth to basement in santiaGo basin, Chile: impliCations for its GeoloGiCal evolution... RESUMEN.Profundidad del basamento derivado de la gravedad en la Cuenca de Santiago: implicancias para la evolución geológica, hidrogeológica, geotermia de baja entalpía, caracterización de suelos y peligros geológicos. El registro de 1.115 estaciones de gravedad, la revisión de 386 pozos, y la medición petrofísica de 106 muestras representativas de afloramientos se utilizaron para un estudio geológico/geofísico comprensivo de la Cuenca de Santiago. El modelamiento gravimétrico en 2.5D y 3D, constreñido por información geológic...

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