Hot Summers Speed Up Glacial Retreat
Glacial melt this summer has been worse than during the heatwave of 2003 & it's not finished yet
The abnormally hot summer that the Alps has just experienced has not been good news for its already retreating glaciers. While the sun has created a dangerous environment for climbers, with increased rockfall, it has also warmed up the rock and affected the permafrost layer deep within.
Across the whole of the Alps this has been a record summer for glacial retreat, worse than during the heatwave of 2003. The rock has also suffered as the permafrost holding much of the mountains together has melted and the mountains are literally crumbling away. Even though the warm weather has subsided the rock has stored some of this heat and the instability will continue until the colder winter temperatures arrive.
According to Christian Vincent from Grenoble's Glaciology Laboratory, the Mer de Glace here in Chamonix has retreated 80-100 meters in length this summer and has lost 8-10 meters in height. If it continues at this rate the Mer de Glace will have completely disappeared from under Montenvers by the year 2040 with the foot of the glacier moving 1.2km further up the valley.
With the Autumn mixed climbing season now just around the corner, climbers will be venturing back into the mountains in pursuit of snowy faces perfect for climbing. But with the permafrost still melting away, the rock may still be unstable, despite the colder air temperatures.
The dry summer will also have an affect on the winters skiing conditions. With many more open crevasses on classic ski descents like the Vallee Blanche, it's going to take a lot of snow to fill them back in before they can be skied!
