Mont Blanc, Western Europe's tallest mountain, has experienced a noticeable reduction in height over the past two years, as reported by researchers. The peak of Mont Blanc now stands at 4,805.59 meters (15,766 feet 4 inches), which is 2.22 meters shorter than its 2021 measurement.
French geometer Jean des Garets suggested that this shrinking could be attributed to reduced rainfall during the summer. Mont Blanc, located at the intersection of France, Italy, and Switzerland, undergoes measurements every two years to monitor the effects of climate change on the Alps.
Des Garets, the chief geometer in Haute-Savoie, southeastern France, highlighted the dynamic nature of the mountain's altitude and position, noting variations of up to five meters. He cautioned against drawing hasty conclusions from the height measurements and emphasized the role of scientists in interpreting the data.
The variation in Mont Blanc's height, which has a rocky peak at 4,792 meters above sea level, is primarily due to snow and ice at the summit, influenced by wind and weather conditions.
Researchers believe that this year's reduction in height may be linked to lower precipitation and stronger winds.
Interestingly, a team of 20 people used a drone for the first time to determine the summit's height during the recent measurement expedition. Small receivers planted in the snow emitted GPS signals used to measure the summit's height to the nearest centimeter.
Mont Blanc, often referred to as "the roof of Europe," attracts 20,000 to 30,000 climbers annually. To prevent overcrowding, the most popular climbing route on the mountain is limited to 214 climbers per day.
In related news, Switzerland's glaciers have experienced their second-largest annual loss, a clear indication of global warming. These findings underscore the ongoing impact of climate change on our natural landscapes.
This latest data contributes to the broader context of environmental changes driven by human-induced climate change, with heatwaves becoming more frequent, intense, and prolonged. To address these challenges, governments worldwide are urged to take decisive action to reduce emissions and combat global warming.