Overview
- The National Park confirmed the collapse of the Eiskapelle, calling it a consequence of progressing climate change.
- Officials warn of acute rockfall and further ice failures in the Eisgraben and advise visitors to stay away, with approaches to the Watzmann east face also affected.
- Monitoring shows nearly one million cubic metres of firn ice lost since 1953, including more than 575,000 cubic metres since late 2019, with recent warm rain hastening the breakdown.
- Researchers had anticipated the eventual disappearance but were surprised by the timing this summer; re-formation after very snowy, cold winters remains possible yet uncertain.
- Park director Roland Baier calls the loss shocking and says projections indicate the area’s last two glaciers could vanish within a few years.