The tragedy occurred on Sunday, July 3rd, Italy, when a huge fragment of an alpine glacier slid down the mountain side, leaving several injured. The victims of this incident were hikers who were at the peak in that moment. After the event, at least 7 people were reported dead, 7 others in serious condition, and 14 missing.
The incident took place at the top of La Marmolada, located at about 2050 miles above sea level, making it the highest of the Eastern Dolomites. Five helicopters and also rescue dogs were involved in the search of the victims.
What is the cause the glacier’s collapse?
Walter Milan, spokesperson for the alpine rescue service, noted that among the determining factors is the intense heat waves that have hit the region throughout June, with temperatures exceeding 10°C (50°F) at the top of the glacier. “That’s extreme heat for the top; it’s clearly something abnormal,” he stated.
Furthermore, it’s worth mentioning that La Marmolada is the largest glacier in the Dolomites Mountain Range and the current projections suggest it will disappear in about 25 to 30 years. This could happen even sooner if temperatures continue to rise, as warned by the National Research Council of Italy (CNR for its acronym in Italian). The high temperatures and recurrent droughts affecting some areas of the country are particularly concerning. The First Minister, Mario Draghi, expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
What happened in this European country reaffirms once again that climate change has devastating consequences for ecosystems and communities. Glaciers will continue to recede, making mountainous areas increasingly unstable and dangerous. However, now is the time to raise awareness through education and outreach to mitigate anthropogenic impacts.
Sources:
- Events like Italian glacier collapse likely to increase as planet heats (Map and video). Link
- Glacier collapse leaves six dead and fifteen missing people in Italy. Link
Highlighted Image:
- Glacier collapse of La Marmolada in the Dolomites, Italy / ©Borut Živulovič.
