News

Matterhorn disintegrating in the face of global warming

15.04.2012

The University of Zurich reported the negative effects climate change is having on the Matterhorn in the Geophysical Research journal. The 14,690 foot high Matterhorn sits on the border between Switzerland and Italy and is one of the most majestic and best known and most inspirational mountains in the world. The study found that not only are the Matterhorn’s glaciers melting at an alarming rate but the mountain itself is crumbling because of the constant dangerous cycle of frost and melt, set on by warmer temperatures. Experts warn that all the cable runs transporting people to and from the mountain are in danger of collapsing as well. “We have shown the importance of icy crevices and the melting water entering them, in the process of rock falls,” lead researcher Stephan Gruber said. “Unlike rock itself – changes to which take place over a very long period of time – just a few decades of temperatures rising by a degree or so are enough to affect the ice and water on the mountains.” The investigation, which relies on sophisticated monitoring devices situated on 17 key parts of the mountain, was prompted by a huge rock fall from the Hörnligrat part of the mountain in July 2003, when more than 50 climbers had to be airlifted off the mountain in the one of the big- gest rescue operations ever mounted in the Alps. “It’s reasonable to expect the same processes are widespread elsewhere in the Alps at the same altitude,” Gruber added.

Photo (c) outdoorPDK / Flickr