With its elongated snout shape, the Morteratsch Glacier in Switzerland is one of the most visited places in the country, but it is also one of the most vulnerable to rising temperatures. Every year he loses 30 to 40 metersSo if nothing is done it is likely to go away soon.
To avoid this, they have devised a way to strengthen it: 4.000 snow machines will take advantage of the water from the lakes formed as a result of the melting to create snow, which will be used to cover the upper part of the glacier. It will be enough?
Based on previous studies, scientists believe that Morteratsch could recover 800 meters in 20 years. But to know if it really works, the first thing they are going to do is apply this technique to a small part of the Diavolezzafirm glacier this summer (2017). The initial project will cost about $ 100.000, scientists told The Scientist.
If the results are good, professionals claim that it would be enough to protect an area of 0,5 square kilometers with a thin layer of artificial snow a few centimeters thick from Morteratsch. Still, we cannot forget that the main effect of snow is to reflect sunlight.
The more direct the sun's rays reach, not only will the temperature be higher, but the snow, which is white, will melt faster.. This is what is known as the albedo effect, and we can check it by taking a cream lolly in winter and again another in summer. While in winter it can take a half hour or more to thaw, in summer you take it outside and it immediately starts to melt.
If the planet continues to warm, the glaciers could have their days numbered. And if they disappear, sea levels will rise all over the world, causing many problems for everyone who lives on the coasts and on low-lying islands.