Melting Candles of History: Switzerland's Glaciers in Retreat

Switzerland's glaciers have seen their fourth-largest reduction in ice volume in recent history, losing 3% of their total mass over the past year. The ongoing trend of ice melt, exacerbated by limited snowfall and high summer temperatures, threatens glacier stability and mountain safety across the region.

Switzerland's glaciers have experienced their fourth-largest decline in ice volume over the past year, as reported by glacier monitoring body GLAMOS. The substantial melt resulted due to a winter with minimal snow and subsequent June heat waves, leading to a 3% reduction in the glaciers' mass.

This decline, though not as severe as those recorded in 2022 and 2023, confirms an alarming trend: Switzerland has endured the worst decade of glacial melt on record. A quarter of the country's glacier volume has vanished since 2015, underscoring a potentially irreversible pattern exacerbated by climate change.

The ongoing shrinkage of glaciers triggers concerns beyond mere environmental impact. The reduction destabilizes mountain structures, heightening the risk of deadly avalanches. As high-altitude glaciers face the harshest conditions, experts emphasize the urgency of global carbon reduction strategies to preserve some glacial formations.

(With inputs from agencies.)