Europe's glaciers have been melting for years. In Switzerland, however, their decline is now taking on enormous proportions. As much ice as this year has not been lost for 100 years. In addition, three other glaciers will disappear almost completely.
According to scientists, the glaciers in the Swiss Alps have melted more this year than at any time since records began a little more than 100 years ago. Because of the small amounts of snow in winter and the persistent heat waves in summer, around three cubic kilometers of ice were lost, as reported by an expert committee from the Swiss Academy of Sciences. This corresponds to more than six percent of the glacier volume.
As a result of climate change, less snow has fallen at lower altitudes in recent years, while the melting period has started earlier and earlier in the year. According to the Academy, the snow cover that protects glaciers from the sun was thinner than ever last spring. In addition, large amounts of Saharan dust came between March and June. The contaminated snow therefore absorbed more solar energy and melted faster, it was said. The strong summer heat then added to the ice.
On average, the Swiss glaciers lost three meters in thickness this year, as the measurements showed. Smaller glaciers such as the Pizol glacier, the Vadret dal Corvatsch and the Schwarzbachfirn have now practically disappeared, the academy reported. The measurements were therefore stopped there. According to the Academy, glaciers play an important role in Switzerland's water balance and energy supply, especially in hot and dry years. "The ice melt in July and August alone would have provided enough water to fill up all the reservoirs in the Swiss Alps from scratch," explained the team of experts.
