Swiss Glaciers Shrunk by a Tenth in Two Years
Published: Thursday, Sep 28th 2023, 08:01
Mise à jour le : Vendredi, 13 octobre 2023, 14:12
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In the last two years, Swiss glaciers have lost 10% of their ice. In 2022, a record 6% was lost, followed by a further 4% in 2023. This is exceptionally high, according to glaciologist Matthias Huss, and the accelerated rate of glacier loss is dramatic, according to the Swiss Commission for Cryospheric Observation (SKK). The melted ice amounts to a volume of 2.2 cubic kilometres, which is equivalent to filling an Olympic-sized swimming pool every 36 seconds, or almost twice the volume of Lake Biel. This is more than was lost in the 30 years between 1960 and 1990. The glacier melt affected the whole of Switzerland. In the south and east, the glaciers melted almost as much as in the record year of 2022, with an average ice thickness loss of up to three metres. In the southern Valais and Engadin, melting of several metres was even measured at over 3200 metres above sea level. The situation was less dramatic between the Bernese Oberland and the Valais, but even there the glaciers were on average more than two metres thinner. This is particularly problematic for smaller glaciers, such as the St. Annafirn UR, where measurements had to be stopped due to the danger of rockfall from unstable rock faces. The strong decline is attributed to a combination of a snow-poor winter and a hot summer. There was very little precipitation in winter 2022/2023, leaving many mountains almost snow-free. In spring, the situation briefly returned to normal, but the dry and very warm June caused the snow to melt two to four weeks earlier than usual. The third warmest summer since records began, combined with a record high zero-degree line into September, meant that any summer snowfall quickly melted again and did not help the glaciers. Glaciologist Matthias Huss believes that the glacier loss will not be as strong every year, despite climate change. It is still possible to save a considerable amount of the Swiss glacier ice, which is important not only for the changing alpine landscape, but also for water and energy supply, especially in dry and hot summers. According to a modelling study published in Nature in August, the glacier loss will continue at a similar rate until 2040, regardless of the climate scenario. After that, the estimates differ depending on the climate protection measures taken. Without measures, the area could halve by 2100, while with strong climate protection measures the loss could be limited to 22%.
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