Swiss Glaciers Lose 10% of Volume in Just Two Years, Report Finds
In a concerning report, it has been revealed that Swiss glaciers have lost a staggering 10% of their volume in just two years. According to scientists, the acceleration in melting is a result of climate breakdown caused by the burning of fossil fuels, leading to unusually hot summers and winters with very low snow volume.
The volume lost during the hot summers of 2022 and 2023 is equivalent to the total depletion of glaciers between 1960 and 1990. This analysis was conducted by the Swiss Academy of Sciences, which also reported a 4% decrease in Switzerland’s total glacier volume this year, marking the second-largest decline on record. The largest decline occurred in 2022, with a 6% drop, representing the most significant thaw since measurements began.
The severity of the situation is further emphasized by the fact that some glaciers have lost so much ice that experts have stopped measuring them. Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland (Glamos) recently ceased measurements at the St Annafirn glacier in the central Swiss canton of Uri due to the near-complete melting of the ice.
Matthias Huss, the head of Glamos, explained, “We just had some dead ice left. It’s a combination of climate change that makes such extreme events more likely, and the very bad combination of meteorological extremes. If we continue at this rate … we will see every year such bad years.” Huss also pointed out that small glaciers were disappearing at an alarming rate. Halting emissions is crucial to prevent further loss, but even if the world manages to limit warming to 1.5C above preindustrial levels, Switzerland is still projected to retain only a third of its glacier volume.
In light of this situation, Huss acknowledged that “all the small glaciers will be gone anyway, and the big glaciers will be much smaller.” However, he emphasized the importance of preserving at least “some ice in the highest regions of the Alps and some glaciers that we can show to our grandchildren.”
The consequences of melting ice are becoming increasingly visible in the Swiss Alps. Record warmth was experienced this year, with the elevation at which precipitation freezes reaching a new record overnight high of 5,289 meters (17,350 feet), surpassing last year’s record of 5,184 meters. This has led to the formation of new lakes next to glacier tongues, as well as the exposure of bare rock due to thinning ice. In addition, relics from the First World War that were long lost under the ice have been uncovered as the ice sheets continue to shrink.
While Swiss records mainly date back to 1960, some glaciers have been monitored since 1914. The urgency to address climate change and reduce emissions is paramount in order to protect these precious natural wonders and preserve them for future generations.