Pyrenean Glacier Ice Down 90%
A study by the Spanish Environment Ministry has found that the estimated 3,300 hectares of ice that covered the mountain range between Spain and France at the beginning of the 20th century have been reduced to 390 hectares over the past 100 years.
The study also found that the rate of melt has accelerated in recent years, with a quarter of the ice melting away in the past six years.
This year’s snowfall has been one of the best for decades in the region but Miguel Frances, the coordinator of the 20 year study, which was released last week, said that even winters with heavy snowfalls do not appear to be able to stop the process.
“The snow stabilizes the glaciers but they do not grow,” Frances told the Spanish El Pais newspaper.
The ministry study states that the melting of the glaciers in the Pyrenees and in other mountain ranges around the world is a direct consequence of global warming and changes in rainfall patterns.
“In 25 or 30 years time the majority of glaciers will have disappeared and by the middle of the century they’ll all be gone.”Fernando Lampre, president of the Pyrenees Glacier Monument Heritage told El Pais.
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