Record temperatures in the summer of 2024 have significantly accelerated the melting of glaciers in Switzerland, which will already exceed the average rate, causing concern among scientists.
Main theses:
- Record temperatures in the summer of 2024 caused accelerated melting of glaciers in Switzerland, which worries scientists.
- Scientists recorded record losses of ice across the country, which exceeded the average values of the last decade.
- Dust from the Sahara and climate change are contributing to the accelerated melting of glaciers in Switzerland.
- Continued increases in greenhouse gas emissions could lead to the loss of more than 80% of the mass of the Alps' glaciers by 2100.
- Switzerland has come under criticism from Europe's top human rights court for not doing enough to combat climate change.
What will be the consequences of accelerated melting of glaciers in Switzerland
It is noted that this year the melting of glaciers in Switzerland occurred with a higher than average intensity.
According to the GLAMOS monitoring resource, at the beginning of this year, scientists rejoiced at abundant winter and spring snowfall in the Alps.
It was hoped that this would help stop significant multi-year migrations or even halt ice loss.
However, already in August, scientists recorded record losses of ice throughout Switzerland.
This summer month, the average temperature was several degrees above zero even at the Jungfraujoch station at an altitude of 3571 meters, located above the Aleč Glacier.
What threatens the Swiss Alps with the further melting of glaciers
GLAMOS analysts emphasize that Swiss glaciers have lost 2,5% of their volume this year, which is higher than the average during the last decade.
One of the factors that led to the acceleration of the melting of glaciers was dust from the Sahara. In particular, the ice cover under the layer of this dust acquires a brown or pink tint, which reduces its ability to reflect sunlight.
Photos posted by Huss on social media show muddy streams running through ice sheets so thin that rocks and gravel can be seen through.
If greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, the Alps' glaciers are expected to lose more than 80% of their current mass by 2100.