Summary
The Rhone Glacier in Switzerland is showing signs of significant melting related to climate change. Experts have observed that this melting is causing holes to form in the glacier, a situation worsened by less snowfall and higher temperatures. As a result, glaciers across Switzerland and other parts of the world are shrinking and losing mass.
Key Facts
- The Rhone Glacier is melting and developing holes due to climate change.
- Matthias Huss from the glacier monitoring group GLAMOS observed these changes firsthand.
- A recent mudslide from an Alpine mountain affected a Swiss village, linked partly to glacier changes.
- Switzerland has the most glaciers in Europe, and these have been steadily retreating since the 1980s.
- Last month was reported as the second-warmest May worldwide by the European Union’s Copernicus climate center.
- Less snow and more heat are difficult conditions for glaciers, causing mass loss in many regions.
- A healthy glacier grows new ice through snowfall while melting at lower levels; this balance is disrupted by warming climates.
- The melting and formation of holes in glaciers resemble Swiss cheese, indicating a lack of dynamic ice regeneration.