The glaciers in the Alps melt very fast. In the year 2026 the glaciers in Switzerland lost 5 percent of their ice. Only in the year 2022 the loss was bigger. In the last 5 years almost one part of the Swiss ice is gone. Researchers say: The glaciers have no chance to survive.
There are 2 reasons for the fast melt. In winter there was too little snow. Therefore the layer on the ice was very thin. In summer it was very hot. The sun shone much and there was no new snow. On many days it was even high up on the mountain warm. The ice melts then also at the top of the mountain.
Also in Austria and Germany the situation is bad. In Austria the Pasterze lost much ice. Experts believe: In Germany there are in 10 years no glaciers anymore. The water is missing later for drinking. When the ice melts, the rocks hold also worse together. Then dangerous rock falls happen more often.
