A massive glacier rupture last weekend killed at least six people in the Dolomites in northern Italy, and 20 people are still missing. Glacier researcher Andrea Fischer sees the danger of such an event coming soon in the Austrian Alps. “It is not only possible, but likely that such processes will take place in the Austrian Alps this summer,” emphasized Fischer. This is undoubtedly a consequence of global warming.
The extremely low amounts of snow in the high elevations at this early time “is an exceptional situation never seen in the past,” the famed Tyrolean glaciologist explained to the APA. The Eastern Alps have never been “snow-free to the top” so early. In addition, “at the same time, the ice layer is already so thin that these ice remnants can start to move and the whole mass is very highly saturated with water”.
The Dolomites are just as snow-poor as the local Alps this year, Fischer made a comparison. The snowfall – the melting of the snow cover – is already well advanced. “There is no more snow there. The melting takes place over the entire glacier surface. Especially the upper and steep areas are very thin. The sun heats the subsoil,” says the expert from the Austrian Academy of Sciences. This leads to large-scale cavity formation.
“It will explode without warning”
“The ice loses its bond with the ground. The cavities can be filled with water”, the scientist describes the fatal processes and clarifies the result: “More or less without warning and the right signs, then it really erupts”. As we have seen, these events could be “very large-scale ‘ because: ‘This mixture of ice, water and debris, which lies extensively on and in front of the glaciers, is easily mobilized and has great destructive power.’
This has consequences for mountaineers: “Tours in vitrified high mountains are not recommended,” emphasized Fischer. Bridges and hiking trails near glaciers are especially at risk this year. One should not be under glaciers where falling events can affect one. In general, it is advisable not to stay in the sphere of influence of glaciers – precisely because of the large mountain ranges. The expert advises alpinists to change their leisure schedule: after all, there are also beautiful high tours in non-glaciated mountains where such dangers do not exist.
Clear link to climate change
For Fischer, the current problem is undoubtedly related to climate change. Two factors would converge in a very unfavorable way this year: The ice surfaces have receded so far over decades that very thin ice sheets have formed that are being undermined. The situation is made worse by the fact that there was very little snow this winter.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
