File number: chbc0163

© South American Pictures/ Peter Francis

Chile: Penitent snow / nieve penitente [also buesserschnee] at 4200m gets its name from the tall shapes leaning or 'bowing' apparently in penitence. The shapes which last long after the snowfalls of winter have disappeared are caused by the differential evaporation of the snow deposits due to the action of wind and sun.The penitents tend to be aligned east to west and point in the direction of the noon day sun.