The demise of a glacier

from WinCustomize Forums

I've been visiting Austria for many years and one of my favourite places is Grossglockner. Apart from the mountain itself, the highest in Austria, one of the main features there is the Pasterze glacier. Sadly in recent times it hase been retreating at an alarming rate.

Here's some photos I've taken of the glacier. The first was in 2005 and the second was taken last week. For scale I've added a close-up of the 2013 with arrows pointing to people. When you look at the size of the people compared to the glacier, the shrinkage is staggering.

 

II just wonder if on my next visit there it will have gone altogether :(

44,088 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

In the words of my generation, that sucks! I've heard that all that fresh water going into the sea will disrupt a certain current and bring about the next ice age but I'm rooting for the zombie Apocalypse.

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

  ... possibly not gone, but surely it will have retreated more.    In 1992, I had the greatest pleasure to hike to Angel Wing Glacier( Mt. Edith Cavell, in the Canadian Rockies) and it was breathtaking.  I've read that 90% of the worlds glaciers have been retreating since the 1970's.  So it is not just a localized condition. Knowing that glaciers grow and retreat normally, but the fact  that most are just retreating...is frightening and sad. 

Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I just wonder if on my next visit there it will have gone altogether
End of quote

More than likely I'm afraid Fuzzy....and this isn't the only one it's happening to.

Reply #4 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Just some of the constant changes Earth has gone through since it's been a planet.  Humans have only been around to physcially record the events for a very, very short time, Earth though has keep records from the beginning, just need to look for them.   :sun:

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

 Got this from Google images. Jpeg's name is Top of Iceberg. Recently one broke off from Antarctica. They say it's bigger than the city of Chicago. Maybe this is downtown. lol

 

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Fuzzy, I have been there as a child in the mid 70s and I am quite sure, it was even much bigger then... Have to find photos at my parents house...

 

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

So glad I got to see the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska...before it too, disappears. 

Unforgettable sight: Orcas, whales and calving glaciers.