For the first time, scientists have studied the loss of ice from glaciers throughout the Alps. The result is frightening. Since the turn of the millennium, glaciers have lost around 17 percent of their volume. Swiss glaciers in particular are melting rapidly. This is yet another stark reminder that there is no time to lose in the fight against climate warming.
The glaciers of the Alpine region have lost one sixth of their total volume within fourteen years. Researchers from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg published this dramatic finding in June 2020 in the scientific journal "Nature Communications". For the first time, the researchers were able to study the entire Alpine region and not just individual glaciers or regions. To do this, they used data from radar satellites to create three-dimensional models of the Earth's surface. Together with optical satellite images, they were thus able to measure the area and height of the glaciers and view the glacier volume as a whole.
In total, glaciers in the Alps lost 22 cubic kilometers of ice between 2000 and 2014. This corresponds to an ice cover of more than half a meter over the entire area of Switzerland. However, the study also notes that there are regional differences in ice loss. These are particularly alarming for Switzerland: the researchers found the greatest ice loss in the Swiss Alps. If climate change continues as it is today, only tiny remnants of glaciers will remain in Switzerland in 100 years, scientists say. What the melting of the glaciers means for Switzerland was explained to us by mountain guide Walter Josi and glaciologist Daniel Farinotti on a hike through the Swiss ice world.
The Alps are losing their face
Melting glaciers in Switzerland are the clearest sign of climate change. Their death not only hurts the heart and the eye. The face of the Alps will never again be the same as it is today. In addition, there are real challenges ahead. Daniel Farinotti names three areas: Tourism, natural hazards and water use, especially for electricity production and agriculture.
"Tourism operators will have to adapt their infrastructure when the ice gives way." On the Jungfraujoch, a new tunnel was needed to get guests onto the ice. Parts of the Gurschen glacier above Andermatt have been covered in summer for many years to save the connection between the cable car station and the ski slope. Farinotti: "Locally, such measures are very effective, but you can't save a glacier with them."
For hydropower and agriculture, climate change actually brings more water at first because ice melts. After that, there is less water and it is distributed more poorly: Glacier water will be lacking, especially in dry summers. In the Alps, this turning point with maximum water runoff is already behind us, according to a new ETH study. The Valais is likely to be the first to feel the effects, because the main valley is low in precipitation and the proportion of glacier water in the Rhone is particularly high at around 15 percent.
(in progress..)