Latest news with #BirchGlacier
Al Arabiya
25-06-2025
- Al Arabiya
Body found in search of Swiss village buried by glacier debris
Search parties combing the Swiss Alpine village that was buried last month after the collapse of a glacier have found human remains, police said. Police did not confirm if the remains were of a 64-year-old man who was reported missing in Blatten after it was engulfed by millions of cubic meters of ice, mud and rock. The village's 300 residents had already been evacuated earlier in May after part of the mountain behind the Birch Glacier began to crumble. 'As part of a coordinated search operation in the Tennmatten area of Blatten, human remains were found and recovered,' Valais Cantonal Police said late on Tuesday. Formal identification of the remains is now underway, the police said.
The Independent
25-06-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Switzerland's famous glaciers are starting to look like Swiss cheese
Switzerland's famed glaciers are increasingly resembling Swiss cheese, riddled with holes, as climate change visibly impacts these vital natural formations. Matthias Huss of the glacier monitoring group GLAMOS recently shared a stark observation of the Rhone Glacier – the source of the river flowing through Switzerland and France to the Mediterranean – during a "maintenance mission" to monitor its health. His findings underscore the rapid changes occurring across the country's icy expanses. The precarious state of Switzerland's glaciers was dramatically highlighted last month when a mudslide from an Alpine mountain submerged the southwestern village of Blatten. The Birch Glacier, which had been retaining a mass of rock near the peak, gave way, sending an avalanche into the valley below. Crucially, the town had been evacuated beforehand, preventing loss of life. While experts primarily attribute the mudslide to geological shifts, global warming is also acknowledged as a contributing factor, albeit to a lesser extent. The Alps and Switzerland — home to the most glaciers in any European country by far — have seen them retreat for about 170 years, but with ups and downs over time until the 1980s, he said. Since then, the decline has been steady, with 2022 and 2023 the worst of all. Last year was a 'bit better," he said. "Now, this year also doesn't look good, so we see we have a clear acceleration trend in the melting of glaciers,' said Huss, who also is a lecturer at the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, ETHZ, said in beaming sunshine and with slushy ice dripping underfoot. The European Union's Copernicus climate center said last month was the second-warmest May on record worldwide, although temperatures in Europe were below the running average for that month compared to the average from 1991 to 2020. Europe is not alone. In a report on Asia's climate released Monday, the U.N.'s World Meteorological Organization said reduced winter snowfall and extreme summer heat last year 'were punishing for glaciers' — with 23 out of 24 glaciers in the central Himalayas and the Tian Shan range suffering 'mass loss' in 2024. A healthy glacier is considered "dynamic," by generating new ice as snow falls on it at higher elevations while melting at lower altitudes: The losses in mass at lower levels are compensated by gains above. As a warming climate pushes up the melting to higher altitudes, such flows will slow down or even stop altogether and the glacier will essentially become 'an ice patch that is just lying there,' Huss said. 'This is a situation we are seeing more and more often on our glaciers: That the ice is just not dynamic anymore," he said. "It's just resting there and melting down in place.' This lack of dynamic regeneration is the most likely process behind the emergence and persistence of holes, seemingly caused by water turbulence at the bottom of the glacier or air flows through the gaps that appear inside the blocks of ice, Huss said. 'First the holes appear in the middle, and then they grow and grow, and suddenly the roof of these holes is starting to collapse," he said. "Then these holes get visible from the surface. These holes weren't known so well a few years ago, but now we are seeing them more often.' Such an affected glacier, he said, "is a Swiss cheese that is getting more holes everywhere, and these holes are collapsing — and it's not good for the glacier.' Richard Alley, a geosciences professor and glaciologist at Penn State University, noted that glacier shrinkage has wide impacts on agriculture, fisheries, drinking water levels, and border tensions when it comes to cross-boundary rivers. 'Biggest worries with mountain glaciers may be water issues — now, the shrinking glaciers are supporting summertime (often the dry season) flows that are anomalously higher than normal, but this will be replaced as glaciers disappear with anomalously low flows,' he said in an email. For Switzerland, another possible casualty is electricity: The Alpine country gets the vast majority of its power through hydroelectric plants driven from its lakes and rivers, and wide-scale glacier melt could jeopardize that. With a whirr of a spiral drill, Huss sends ice chips flying as he bores a hole into the glacier. Then with an assistant, he unfurls a jointed metal pole — similar to the basic glacier-monitoring technology that has existed for decades — and clicks it together to drive it deep down. This serves as a measuring stick for glacier depth. 'We have a network of stakes that are drilled into the ice where we determine the melting of the mass loss of the glacier from year to year,' he said. 'When the glacier will be melting, which is at the moment a speed of about 5 to 10 centimeters (2-4 inches) a day, this pole will re-emerge.' Reaching up over his head — about 2.5 meters (8 feet) — he points out the height of a stake that had been drilled in in September, suggesting that an ice mass had shrunk by that much. In the super-hot year of 2022, nearly 10 meters of vertical ice were lost in a single year, he said. The planet is already running up against the target cap increase of 1.5 degrees Celsius in global temperatures set in the Paris Climate Accord of 2015. The concerns about global warming that led to that deal have lately been overshadowed by trade wars, conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and other geopolitical issues. 'If we manage to reduce or limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, we couldn't save this glacier,' Huss said, acknowledging many Swiss glaciers are set to disappear in the future. As a person, Huss feels emotion. As a glaciologist, he is awestruck by the speed of change. 'It's always hard for me to see these glaciers melting, to even see them disappearing completely. Some of my monitoring sites I've been going to for 20 years have completely vanished in the last years," he said. 'It was very sad — if you just exchange this beautiful, shiny white with these brittle rocks that are lying around.' 'But on the other hand,' he added, "it's also a very interesting time as a scientist to be witness to these very fast changes.'
Sustainability Times
09-06-2025
- Science
- Sustainability Times
'40% of Glaciers Vanishing Anyway': This Chilling Climate Shock Exposes the Irreversible Collapse Already Underway
IN A NUTSHELL 🌍 Climate change is causing glaciers worldwide to become increasingly unstable, posing significant risks to communities. is causing glaciers worldwide to become increasingly unstable, posing significant risks to communities. 🏔️ The recent collapse of the Birch Glacier in Switzerland highlights the dangers of glacier shifts and landslides. and landslides. 📉 Switzerland and Peru have experienced substantial glacier loss , with severe implications for water resources and ecosystems. , with severe implications for water resources and ecosystems. 🔍 Urgent action is needed to address the impact of global warming and preserve remaining glacier ice for future generations. The alarming collapse of glaciers worldwide serves as a stark reminder of the intensifying threat posed by climate change. The recent incident in a Swiss village, where a glacier collapse resulted in a catastrophic landslide, underscores the urgent need to address the destabilizing effects of global warming. As glaciers continue to retreat and destabilize, the risks to human life and infrastructure become increasingly severe. This article explores the intricate dynamics at play, revealing how climate change is exacerbating the instability of glaciers and threatening communities across the globe. Debris Triggers Rapid Glacier Shift in Southern Switzerland The Birch Glacier in southern Switzerland has become a symbol of the precarious situation facing many glaciers today. Initially, debris covering the glacier acted as an insulator, temporarily slowing its melting. However, the weight of the debris eventually led to a rapid shift in the glacier, creating a hazardous situation for the nearby village of Blatten. Authorities were forced to evacuate around 300 residents and all livestock as the entire mountainside showed signs of potential collapse. Such incidents are not isolated. Around the world, glaciers are experiencing similar shifts and collapses. In Alaska, the city of Juneau faces annual threats from glacial floods caused by retreating ice. In Italy, a section of the Marmolada glacier broke off during a heatwave, resulting in a deadly avalanche. These events illustrate the increasing frequency and severity of glacier-related disasters driven by climate change. Experts warn that as glaciers melt and retreat, they often form lakes at their base. These glacial lakes can burst unexpectedly, causing devastating downstream floods. The growing instability of glaciers is a clear indication of the serious risks faced by communities living in proximity to these natural wonders. 'Earth Is Boiling Over': These 9 Scorching Hot Spots Are Blistering Proof Our Planet Is Heating Up Faster Than Ever Before Switzerland Sees Record Glacier Loss as Warming Accelerates Switzerland, home to the most glaciers in Europe, is witnessing unprecedented glacier loss. Since 1950, the glaciers in the Alps have lost half of their area, and the rate of ice loss is accelerating. In 2023 alone, Switzerland experienced a 4% reduction in glacier volume, following a record 6% drop in 2022. This rapid decline is a direct consequence of global warming driven by fossil fuel emissions. The situation is similarly dire in Peru, where over half of the glacier surface has vanished in the past 60 years. Between 2016 and 2020 alone, 175 glaciers disappeared due to rising global temperatures. The loss of glaciers is not just an environmental issue; it has significant implications for water resources, agriculture, and local ecosystems. Even if global temperatures stabilize at current levels, projections indicate that 40% of the world's glaciers will disappear. However, adhering to the 2015 Paris Agreement's goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius could potentially preserve twice as much glacier ice. The findings highlight the importance of immediate action to curb emissions and mitigate further damage. 'Code Red for Humanity': World Set to Explode Past 1.5°C Heat Limit by 2030, UN Warns of Irreversible Chaos The Global Impact of Glacier Instability Glacier instability is a global issue with far-reaching consequences. The collapse of glaciers not only threatens lives but also affects water supplies, agriculture, and ecosystems. In regions like Alaska, where glaciers are integral to the environment, their disappearance could have catastrophic effects on local communities and wildlife. The growing instability of glaciers poses a significant risk to thousands of people worldwide, making it a critical issue that demands urgent attention. Glaciers are vital sources of freshwater for millions of people, particularly in regions where they feed rivers and lakes. As glaciers retreat, the availability of freshwater diminishes, impacting agriculture, drinking water supplies, and hydropower generation. The loss of glaciers also contributes to rising sea levels, posing a threat to coastal communities around the world. Addressing glacier instability requires a comprehensive approach that includes reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing monitoring systems, and developing adaptive strategies for affected communities. By taking action now, we can help mitigate the impact of glacier loss and protect vulnerable populations from the devastating consequences of climate change. 4 Tons of Water, 19 Firefighters: Greece Unleashes Airbus H215 Mega-Helicopters in Massive Aerial Firefighting Revolution Future Prospects and the Urgency of Action Despite the grim outlook, there is hope for preserving the remaining glaciers if immediate action is taken to combat climate change. However, experts caution that many glaciers are already doomed to disappear regardless of future warming. In certain regions, such as parts of Alaska, the current climate no longer supports glacier survival, and their eventual disappearance seems inevitable. Preserving glaciers requires a multifaceted approach that combines scientific research, policy changes, and community engagement. Governments and international organizations must prioritize climate action to halt the progression of global warming. By investing in sustainable practices and promoting renewable energy sources, we can reduce emissions and curb further glacier loss. As we move forward, it is crucial to raise awareness about the urgent need to protect our planet's glaciers. The stakes are high, and the time for action is now. How can we collectively work towards a future where glaciers are preserved for generations to come? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.6/5 (26)
Japan Times
02-06-2025
- Climate
- Japan Times
How Switzerland's Birch glacier collapsed
A cascade of events in the Swiss Alps led to the dramatic collapse of the Birch glacier, wiping out Blatten village in the valley below, glaciologists and geoscientists said on Friday. Experts knew days ahead of Wednesday's landslide that the glacier was likely to suffer a catastrophic failure. But the reasons why date back much further. There are strong theories on the causes, and to what degree the disaster is linked to climate change — but these are yet to be confirmed by scientific analysis. "This can be considered as a cascading event, because we have different processes involved," explained Christophe Lambiel, senior lecturer at the University of Lausanne's Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics. Mountain above the glacier The 3,342-meter Kleines Nesthorn mountain above the glacier was already somewhat unstable, and rockfalls accelerated dramatically around 10 days beforehand. Experts feared a total collapse within hours, but instead there were successive rockfalls over several days, which was actually the best-case scenario. Rockfall onto glacier Some 3 million cubic meters of rock were deposited on the glacier. "If you put a lot of weight on an unstable foundation, it can just slip away. And this is what actually happened," Matthias Huss, the director of Glacier Monitoring Switzerland (GLAMOS), said. "The glacier accelerated strongly in response to this additional loading, and then the disaster struck." The Birch glacier The Birch glacier was a special case: the only Swiss glacier that was advancing rather than shrinking. However, this was not because of extra snowfall. Its advance "was quite likely due to the pre-loading with rockfalls from this mountain, which has finally collapsed. So the landslide didn't start from nothing," said Huss. A helicopter removes pieces of wood obstructing the river Lonza after the Birch glacier collapsed and a massive landslide destroyed the village of Blatten, on Saturday. | AFP-JIJI The glacier was on a steep slope, and even steeper at the front, worsening the dynamics. Smaller-scale falls from the front of the glacier Tuesday were expected to continue, with Wednesday's sudden total collapse considered a less-probable scenario. How the glacier collapsed The rockfalls altered the stress equation between the weight of the glacier and the slope, which governs its forward speed, Lambiel said. Like pushing a car, it takes a lot of force to initiate movement, but less once it is on the move, he explained. Huss said the 1,000 meters of elevation between the glacier and the Lotschental valley floor added a "huge amount of potential energy," which through friction melts part of the ice, making the fall "much more dynamic than if it was just rock." Role of melting permafrost Permafrost conditions are degrading throughout the Alps. Ice inside the cracks in the rocks has been thawing to ever-deeper levels over the last decade, especially after the summer 2022 heat wave. "Ice is considered as the cement of the mountains. Decreasing the quality of the cement decreases the stability of the mountain," said Lambiel. Huss added, "At the moment, we can't say it's because of permafrost thaw that this mountain collapsed — but it is at least a very probable explanation, or one factor, that has triggered or accelerated this process of the mountain falling apart." Role of climate change Jakob Steiner, a geoscientist at the Lotschental valley floor, said, "There is no clear evidence as of yet, for this specific case, that this was caused by climate change." Huss said making such a direct link was "complicated." "If it was just because of climate change that this mountain collapsed, all mountains in the Alps could collapse — and they don't," he said. "It's a combination of the long-term changes in the geology of the mountain. "The failing of the glacier as such — this is not related to climate change. It's more the permafrost processes, which are very complex, long-term changes." Lambiel said of a link between climate change and the glacier moving forward over time, "Honestly, we don't know. "But the increasing rockfalls on the glacier during the last 10 years — this can be linked with climate change." Other glaciers Modern monitoring techniques detect acceleration in the ice with high precision — and therefore allow for early warning. Lambiel said around 80 glaciers in the same region of Switzerland were considered dangerous, and under monitoring. "The big challenge is to recognise where to direct the detailed monitoring," said Huss. Lambiel said sites with glacier-permafrost interactions above 3,000 meters would now need more research. But they are difficult to reach and monitor. Steiner said, "Probably the rapidly changing permafrost can play some kind of role. "This is concerning because this means that mountains are becoming a lot more unstable."
Reuters
31-05-2025
- Climate
- Reuters
Swiss town left under rubble after chunk of glacier breaks off
Blatten's 300 residents had already been evacuated earlier in May after part of the mountain behind the Birch Glacier began to crumble.
