Publications
The results of the measurements are regularly published in different media. Here you have access to the most important publication of all three measurement networks.
The results concerning the measurement network for glaciers and permafrost are published in the Glaciological Report every second year. Furthermore there are numerous articles in the form of new releases which can be found in the magazine “Die Alpen” (Zeitschrift des SchweizerAplen Clubs SAC).
Glaciological Report (Glacier)
Glaciological Report (Permafrost)
Events, News
Severe melting of glaciers despite heavy snowfall at high altitudes
After the extreme circumstances encountered in 2022 and 2023, no relief is in sight for Swiss glaciers. Despite exceptionally large volumes of snow during the winter, a combination of temperatures in July and August that at times reached record levels and dust from the Sahara resulted in a loss of 2.5% of the glacier volume. This was reported by the Swiss Commission for Cryosphere Observation of the Swiss Academy of Sciences on Tuesday.
Image: Matthias HussKeine Erholung für den Permafrost in der Schweiz
Nach zwei Jahren mit wenig Schnee und sehr heissen Sommern bleibt der Permafrost in der Schweiz im Herbst 2023 warm und der Eisgehalt des Bodens nahm vielerorts weiter ab. Die Blockgletscher bewegten sich zudem schnell talwärts. Dies geht aus den neuesten Messungen des Schweizer Permafrost-Messnetzes hervor.
Image: Matthias LichteneggerTwo catastrophic years obliterate 10% of Swiss glacier volume
One extreme year follows another. Glaciers in Switzerland lost 6% of their volume in 2022. However, 2023 saw 4% destroyed, representing the second largest decline since measurements began. The Swiss Commission for Cryosphere Observation of the Swiss Academy of Sciences reported that a total of 10% of the ice volume disappeared in only two years.
Image: Matthias HussDie Engadiner Blockgletscher gehören zu den 100 bedeutendsten Geo-Erbestätten weltweit
100 geologische Stätten aus aller Welt wurden von der International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) aufgrund ihrer Bedeutung für das Verständnis des Planeten Erde und seiner Geschichte ausgewählt. Darunter befinden sich als einziger Schweizer Standort die Engadiner Blockgletscher, die für die Dokumentation und Erforschung des Gebirgspermafrostes einzigartig sind.
Image: A. CicoriaWorse than 2003: Swiss glaciers are melting more than ever before
2022 was a disastrous year for Swiss glaciers: all ice melt records were smashed by the great dearth of snow in winter and continuous heatwaves in summer. More than 6 percent of the ice volume was lost, reports the Cryospheric Commission (CC) of the Swiss Academy of Sciences.
Image: M. Huss