Overview

• The glaciers in the Dolomites have lost 56% of their surface area since the 1980s, shrinking from over four square kilometers to under two square kilometers.
• Accelerated melting has been observed since 2010, with one-third of the glaciers’ surface area disappearing in just 15 years.
• The glaciers are now all below the equilibrium line, making snow accumulation and recovery impossible, even during snowy winters.
• The Fradusta Glacier has been reduced to just one-tenth of its original size, while the Marmolata Glacier shows significant ice loss, exposing barren rock.
• This marks the first comprehensive, multi-decade study of glacier changes in the Dolomites, highlighting the severe impact of rising temperatures caused by climate change.