The glaciers in Switzerland, this year, suffered their second worst melt rate after record depletion in 2022, lessening their comprehensive volume by 10% in the last two years, a report said on Thursday (Sept 28).

In 2022, Switzerland's glaciers shed six per cent of their overall volume and this year, they lost another four per cent, "representing the second largest decline since measurements began", the Cryospheric Commission of the Swiss Academy of Sciences found in a new study.

The study further warned that the situation could only worsen in the coming years.

"Swiss glaciers are melting at a rapidly increasing rate," it said in a statement.

"The acceleration is dramatic, with as much ice being lost in only two years as was the case between 1960 and 1990," it added.

The result of two consecutive extreme years had been collapsing glacier tongues and some smaller glaciers disappearing altogether.

"All glaciers melted a lot," news agency AFP quoted Matthias Huss, head of Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland (GLAMOS) as saying.

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"But for the small glaciers, (the) melting is especially dramatic because these small glaciers are really disappearing right now."

<h2>Glaciers could all but disappear if no action taken: Scientists</h2>

GLAMOS, which monitors 176 of Switzerland's nearly 1,400 glaciers, recently paused measurements at the St. Annafirn glacier in the central Swiss canton of Uri since it had all but vanished.

"We just had some dead ice left," Huss lamented.

The massive glacier loss witnessed in Switzerland was linked in large part to a winter with very low snow volumes, as well as soaring summer temperatures.

"It's a combination of climate change that makes such extreme events more likely, and the very bad combination of meteorological extremes," Huss explained.

"If we continue at this rate... we will see every year such bad years."

Scientists have already cautioned that the Swiss glaciers could all but vanish by the end of the century if no action is taken to control global warming.

"We have seen such strong climate changes in the last years that it's really possible to imagine this country without any glaciers," Huss said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The glaciers in Switzerland, this year, suffered their second worst melt rate after record depletion in 2022, lessening their comprehensive volume by 10% in the last two years, a report said on Thursday (Sept 28).

The glaciers in Switzerland, this year, suffered their second worst melt rate after record depletion in 2022, lessening their comprehensive volume by 10% in the last two years, a report said on Thursday (Sept 28). In 2022, Switzerland's glaciers shed six per cent of their overall volume and this year, they lost another four per cent, "representing the second largest decline since measurements began", the Cryospheric Commission of the Swiss Academy of Sciences found in a new study. The study further warned that the situation could only worsen in the coming years. "Swiss glaciers are melting at a rapidly increasing rate," it said in a statement. "The acceleration is dramatic, with as much ice being lost in only two years as was the case between 1960 and 1990," it added. The result of two consecutive extreme years had been collapsing glacier tongues and some smaller glaciers disappearing altogether. "All glaciers melted a lot," news agency AFP quoted Matthias Huss, head of Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland (GLAMOS) as saying. Also read: France: Six migrant women trapped in lorry rescued after distress texts to reporter "But for the small glaciers, (the) melting is especially dramatic because these small glaciers are really disappearing right now." Glaciers could all but disappear if no action taken: Scientists GLAMOS, which monitors 176 of Switzerland's nearly 1,400 glaciers, recently paused measurements at the St. Annafirn glacier in the central Swiss canton of Uri since it had all but vanished. "We just had some dead ice left," Huss lamented. The massive glacier loss witnessed in Switzerland was linked in large part to a winter with very low snow volumes, as well as soaring summer temperatures. "It's a combination of climate change that makes such extreme events more likely, and the very bad combination of meteorological extremes," Huss explained. "If we continue at this rate... we will see every year such bad years." Scientists have already cautioned that the Swiss glaciers could all but vanish by the end of the century if no action is taken to control global warming. "We have seen such strong climate changes in the last years that it's really possible to imagine this country without any glaciers," Huss said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Switzerland glaciers’ overall volume shrinks by 10% in last two years, small ones may disappear: Study

The United Nations stated on Friday that the world's glaciers dissipated significantly last year and that saving them is essentially a lost cause as climate change indicators once again reached record highs.&nbsp;According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO)&nbsp;of the UN, the past eight years have been the warmest ever observed, and greenhouse gas concentrations, such as carbon dioxide, have reached new highs.

"Antarctic sea ice fell to its lowest extent on record and the melting of some European glaciers was, literally, off the charts," the WMO spelled out as it launched its annual climate overview.&nbsp;

Sea levels have also reached a new high, rising by an average of 4.62 millimetres annually between 2013 and 2022, which is twice as quickly as it did between 1993 and 2002.

The oceans, where around 90 per cent&nbsp;of the heat trapped on Earth by greenhouse gases ends up, had record-high temperatures.

According to the WMO study, the global mean temperature in 2022 was 1.15 C higher than the 1850–1900 average.

Despite the cooling effects of a long La Nina weather phenomenon that lasted for nearly half of that period, record global mean temperatures for the preceding eight years were nevertheless achieved.

Based on the analysis, global greenhouse gas concentrations hit new highs in 2021.

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Globally, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations reached 415.7 parts per million, or 149 per cent of pre-industrial levels (1750), while methane concentrations reached 262 per cent and nitrous oxide concentrations reached 124 per cent.

<h2>A lost cause?</h2>

Between October 2021 and October 2022, the average thickness of the world's reference glaciers—those for which long-term measurements are available—decreased by more than 1.3 metres, a loss far greater than the average over the previous ten years.

Since 1970, there has been a total loss of about 30 metres of thickness. 
Due to a combination of insufficient winter snow, a saharan dust invasion in March 2022, and heatwaves between May and early September, the Alps broke records for glacier melt in Europe.

"We have already lost the melting of the glaciers game, because we already have such a high concentration of CO2," WMO chief Petteri Taalas told AFP in an interview.

In the Swiss Alps, "last summer we lost 6.2 percent of the glacier mass, which is the highest amount since records started," he said.

"This is serious," he said, explaining that the disappearance of the glaciers would limit freshwater supplies for humans and for agriculture, and also harm transport links if rivers become less navigable.&nbsp;These kind of things are going to be a big risk for the future," said Taalas.

"Many of these mountain glaciers will disappear, and also the shrinking of the Antarctic and Greenland glaciers will continue for a long-term basis -- unless we create a means to remove CO2 from the atmosphere," he continued.

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The United Nations stated on Friday that the world's glaciers dissipated significantly last year and that saving them is essentially a lost cause as climate change indicators once again reached record highs.

The United Nations stated on Friday that the world's glaciers dissipated significantly last year and that saving them is essentially a lost cause as climate change indicators once again reached record highs. According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) of the UN, the past eight years have been the warmest ever observed, and greenhouse gas concentrations, such as carbon dioxide, have reached new highs. "Antarctic sea ice fell to its lowest extent on record and the melting of some European glaciers was, literally, off the charts," the WMO spelled out as it launched its annual climate overview. Sea levels have also reached a new high, rising by an average of 4.62 millimetres annually between 2013 and 2022, which is twice as quickly as it did between 1993 and 2002. The oceans, where around 90 per cent of the heat trapped on Earth by greenhouse gases ends up, had record-high temperatures. According to the WMO study, the global mean temperature in 2022 was 1.15 C higher than the 1850–1900 average. Despite the cooling effects of a long La Nina weather phenomenon that lasted for nearly half of that period, record global mean temperatures for the preceding eight years were nevertheless achieved. Based on the analysis, global greenhouse gas concentrations hit new highs in 2021. ALSO READ | Earth Day: 10 movies that will inspire you to take action on climate change Globally, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations reached 415.7 parts per million, or 149 per cent of pre-industrial levels (1750), while methane concentrations reached 262 per cent and nitrous oxide concentrations reached 124 per cent. A lost cause? Between October 2021 and October 2022, the average thickness of the world's reference glaciers—those for which long-term measurements are available—decreased by more than 1.3 metres, a loss far greater than the average over the previous ten years. Since 1970, there has been a total loss of about 30 metres of thickness. Due to a combination of insufficient winter snow, a saharan dust invasion in March 2022, and heatwaves between May and early September, the Alps broke records for glacier melt in Europe. "We have already lost the melting of the glaciers game, because we already have such a high concentration of CO2," WMO chief Petteri Taalas told AFP in an interview. In the Swiss Alps, "last summer we lost 6.2 percent of the glacier mass, which is the highest amount since records started," he said. "This is serious," he said, explaining that the disappearance of the glaciers would limit freshwater supplies for humans and for agriculture, and also harm transport links if rivers become less navigable. These kind of things are going to be a big risk for the future," said Taalas. "Many of these mountain glaciers will disappear, and also the shrinking of the Antarctic and Greenland glaciers will continue for a long-term basis -- unless we create a means to remove CO2 from the atmosphere," he continued. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

UN climate report: World's glaciers melted at dramatic speed in 2022

A new study has revealed that nearly 15 million people across the world are at risk of catastrophic flooding from melting mountain glaciers. With temperatures across the planet increasing due to global warming, the glaciers melt and form glacial lakes.

A new study has revealed that nearly 15 million people across the world are at risk of catastrophic flooding from melting mountain glaciers. With temperatures across the planet increasing due to global warming, the glaciers melt and form glacial lakes. The increase in the volume of meltwater in such lakes threatens the population living nearby such bodies. The study, conducted by Newcastle University and published in the journal Nature Communications assessed the living conditions of the people living downstream from the glacial lakes. 'There are a large number of people globally exposed to the impacts of these floods. It could happen at any point - that's what makes them particularly dangerous, because it's hard to predict exactly when they will happen," said the authors of the study. Pakistan: Bridge in Northern Pakistan collapses after glacial lake outburst × They added that people living in India, Pakistan, China and Peru faced the greatest threat. In Asia, around a million people lived within a 10-kilometre radius of a glacial lake. Since the onset of the 20th century, thousand of glacial lakes have been formed. These water bodies often are contained behind natural dams viz. rocks and debris in high mountains. However, there's only so much protection the mountainous terrain can provide. The 2013 Kedarnath floods in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand that took the lives of over 6,000 was caused by the flooding of a glacial lake. Record unseasonal monsoon rains and cloud burst added to the glacier lake outburst. Overall, the world's glaciers have lost 332 gigatonnes of glacier ice every year between 2006 and 2016. Since 1990, the number of glacial lakes across the world has increased by 50 per cent. According to reports, over 2,800 glacial floods have been observed so far and 12,000 have lost their lives. If humans do not control their habits and continue to contribute to climate change, glacial floods may become a common theme in the coming years. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Millions at risk due to flooding from melting mountain glaciers: Report

Chile&nbsp;said Saturday it is creating a vast&nbsp;national&nbsp;park&nbsp;to protect hundreds of&nbsp;glaciers&nbsp;that are melting due to climate change.

The new&nbsp;National&nbsp;Glacier&nbsp;Park&nbsp;will cover 75,000 hectares of Andes mountain land about 60 kilometers (40 miles) from the capital Santiago, President Sebastian Pinera said at a ceremony announcing its creation.

"We are managing to protect 368&nbsp;glaciers," the president said.

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These masses of permanent ice hold 32 times more water than a reservoir that serves the capital city's seven million people, the president added.

A recent study by the University of&nbsp;Chile&nbsp;said&nbsp;glaciers&nbsp;in the central part of the country, which includes the new&nbsp;park, are shrinking due to global warming.

Pinera said establishing the&nbsp;park&nbsp;is "a fundamental step that our country is taking to combat the destruction of nature."

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It will also help preserve flora native to mountain terrain and animals likes pumas and foxes.

Chile&nbsp;is among the world's top 10 countries as measured by glacier surface area, the government says. Others include Canada, the United States, China and Russia.

Chile said Saturday it is creating a vast national park to protect hundreds of glaciers that are melting due to climate change. The new National Glacier Park will cover 75,000 hectares of Andes mountain land about 60 kilometers (40 miles) from the capital Santiago, President Sebastian Pinera said at a ceremony announcing its creation.

Chile said Saturday it is creating a vast national park to protect hundreds of glaciers that are melting due to climate change. The new National Glacier Park will cover 75,000 hectares of Andes mountain land about 60 kilometers (40 miles) from the capital Santiago, President Sebastian Pinera said at a ceremony announcing its creation. "We are managing to protect 368 glaciers," the president said. Also read | Sydney faces more rain as death toll from Australian floods rises to 17 These masses of permanent ice hold 32 times more water than a reservoir that serves the capital city's seven million people, the president added. A recent study by the University of Chile said glaciers in the central part of the country, which includes the new park, are shrinking due to global warming. Pinera said establishing the park is "a fundamental step that our country is taking to combat the destruction of nature." Also read | Astronomers have a new theory on how former 'fireball' Earth became habitable It will also help preserve flora native to mountain terrain and animals likes pumas and foxes. Chile is among the world's top 10 countries as measured by glacier surface area, the government says. Others include Canada, the United States, China and Russia.

Chile creates national park to save glaciers

Scientists are worried about the rapid melting of glaciers as cold glacial-melt water enters the warmer ocean, slowing ocean currents and as ice on land melts, the sea levels continue to rise.&nbsp;

Overall climatic change, majorly fuelled by human activities are responsible for it as carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions have raised Earth's temperatures.&nbsp;

The temperatures are even higher in the poles and as a result, the glaciers are rapidly melting. An alarming crackup has begun at the foot of Antarctica's vulnerable Thwaites Glacier, whose meltwater is already responsible for about 4 per cent of global sea-level rise.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/arctic-region-recorded-highest-temperature-ever-in-2020-says-world-meteorological-organization-436887">Arctic region recorded highest temperature ever in 2020, says World Meteorological Organization</a>

In a report published in the American Geophysical Union (AGU) on December 16, scientists and exerts discussed the rapid melting of glaciers during this year's AGU fall meeting.&nbsp;

It is mentioned that a floating ice shelf is stabilised offshore by a marine shoal and acts as a dam to slow the flow of ice off the continent into the ocean.&nbsp;

However, if this floating ice shelf breaks apart, the Thwaites Glacier will accelerate and its contribution to sea-level rise will increase by as much as 25 per cent.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/fires-floods-flying-insects-climate-fuelled-disasters-that-wreaked-havoc-across-world-432546">Fires, floods, flying insects: Climate-fuelled disasters that wreaked havoc across world</a>

"We have mapped out weaker and stronger areas of the ice shelf and suggest a "zig-zag" pathway the fractures might take through the ice, ultimately leading to break up of the shelf in as little as 5 years, which result in more ice flowing off the continent," a part of the report read.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the UN on Tuesday officially recognised the 38 degrees Celsius measured in Siberia last year as a new record high for the Arctic, sounding "alarm bells" over climate change.

The sweltering heat - equivalent to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit - was seen on June 20, 2020 in the Russian town of Verkhoyansk, marking the highest temperature ever recorded above the Arctic Circle, the World Meteorological Organization said.&nbsp;

"This new Arctic record is one of a series of observations reported to the WMO Archive of Weather and Climate Extremes that sound the alarm bells about our changing climate," its chief Petteri Taalas said in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies)

Scientists are worried about the rapid melting of glaciers as cold glacial-melt water enters the warmer ocean, slowing ocean currents and as ice on land melts, the sea levels continue to rise.

Scientists are worried about the rapid melting of glaciers as cold glacial-melt water enters the warmer ocean, slowing ocean currents and as ice on land melts, the sea levels continue to rise. Overall climatic change, majorly fuelled by human activities are responsible for it as carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions have raised Earth's temperatures. The temperatures are even higher in the poles and as a result, the glaciers are rapidly melting. An alarming crackup has begun at the foot of Antarctica's vulnerable Thwaites Glacier, whose meltwater is already responsible for about 4 per cent of global sea-level rise. ALSO READ | Arctic region recorded highest temperature ever in 2020, says World Meteorological Organization In a report published in the American Geophysical Union (AGU) on December 16, scientists and exerts discussed the rapid melting of glaciers during this year's AGU fall meeting. It is mentioned that a floating ice shelf is stabilised offshore by a marine shoal and acts as a dam to slow the flow of ice off the continent into the ocean. However, if this floating ice shelf breaks apart, the Thwaites Glacier will accelerate and its contribution to sea-level rise will increase by as much as 25 per cent. ALSO READ | Fires, floods, flying insects: Climate-fuelled disasters that wreaked havoc across world "We have mapped out weaker and stronger areas of the ice shelf and suggest a "zig-zag" pathway the fractures might take through the ice, ultimately leading to break up of the shelf in as little as 5 years, which result in more ice flowing off the continent," a part of the report read. Meanwhile, the UN on Tuesday officially recognised the 38 degrees Celsius measured in Siberia last year as a new record high for the Arctic, sounding "alarm bells" over climate change. The sweltering heat - equivalent to 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit - was seen on June 20, 2020 in the Russian town of Verkhoyansk, marking the highest temperature ever recorded above the Arctic Circle, the World Meteorological Organization said. "This new Arctic record is one of a series of observations reported to the WMO Archive of Weather and Climate Extremes that sound the alarm bells about our changing climate," its chief Petteri Taalas said in a statement. (With inputs from agencies)

Scientists analyse details of one of the fastest-changing glaciers in Antarctica

Climate change will cause many of Africa's rare glaciers to disappear within the next two decades, a new report warns. This comes amid sweeping predictions of extreme suffering for the continent that contributes least to global warming, yet suffers the most.

This report by the World Meteorological Organisation and other agencies, released just ahead of the UN climate conference starting Oct. 31, provides a grim reminder.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-queen-finds-world-leaders-irritating-because-they-only-talk-and-dont-act-420982" hreflang="en">COP26: Queen finds world leaders 'irritating' because they only 'talk' and don't 'act'</a>

Despite the 54 African&nbsp;countries being responsible for less than 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa's 1.3 billion people are extremely vulnerable, as the continent continues to warm at a faster rate than the world average.

According to the new report, the shrinking glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda are symbolic of the rapid and widespread changes to come.

The report goes on to say that&nbsp;Africa's current retreat rates are higher than the global average, and if this pattern continues, the continent will suffer total deglaciation by the mid-2040s.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-change-could-sink-small-states-says-commonwealth-chief-420623" hreflang="en">Climate change could sink small states, says Commonwealth chief</a>

WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas spoke at the report launch on Tuesday and said that Massive displacement, hunger and increasing climate shocks such as droughts and flooding are in the future, yet the lack of climate data in parts of Africa "is having a major impact" on disaster warnings for millions of people.

Leonel Correia Sacko with the African Union Commission writes in the report,&nbsp;“Not only are physical conditions getting worse, but also the number of people being affected is increasing.”

Sacko adds that up to 118 million extremely poor people; those living on less than $1.90 a day, will be exposed to drought, floods, and extreme heat by 2030 if proper measures are not taken.

Watch |&nbsp;Climate crisis hits South Africa's Cape Town

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/climate-crisis-hits-south-africas-cape-town-412585/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Even though the African continent faces significant threats, African voices are underrepresented at global climate meetings and among those who write the most important scientific assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

The amount of African contributions to IPCC reports is extremely low, according to a multi-country research project called Future Climate for Africa.

UN reports that famine-like conditions have already been created by climate change on Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/madagascar-prays-for-rain-as-un-warns-of-climate-change-famine-420184" hreflang="en">Madagascar prays for rain as U.N. warns of 'climate change famine'</a>

The costs ahead are enormous. The report estimates that the cost of climate adaptation for sub-Saharan Africa will be between $30 and $50 billion each year over the next decade or about two to three per cent of GDP.

“The cost of adapting to climate change in Africa will rise to $50 billion per year by 2050, even assuming the international efforts to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.”

Climate change will cause many of Africa's rare glaciers to disappear within the next two decades, a new report warns. This comes amid sweeping predictions of extreme suffering for the continent that contributes least to global warming, yet suffers the most.

Climate change will cause many of Africa's rare glaciers to disappear within the next two decades, a new report warns. This comes amid sweeping predictions of extreme suffering for the continent that contributes least to global warming, yet suffers the most. This report by the World Meteorological Organisation and other agencies, released just ahead of the UN climate conference starting Oct. 31, provides a grim reminder. Also read | COP26: Queen finds world leaders 'irritating' because they only 'talk' and don't 'act' Despite the 54 African countries being responsible for less than 4 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, Africa's 1.3 billion people are extremely vulnerable, as the continent continues to warm at a faster rate than the world average. According to the new report, the shrinking glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, and the Rwenzori Mountains in Uganda are symbolic of the rapid and widespread changes to come. The report goes on to say that Africa's current retreat rates are higher than the global average, and if this pattern continues, the continent will suffer total deglaciation by the mid-2040s. Also read | Climate change could sink small states, says Commonwealth chief WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas spoke at the report launch on Tuesday and said that Massive displacement, hunger and increasing climate shocks such as droughts and flooding are in the future, yet the lack of climate data in parts of Africa "is having a major impact" on disaster warnings for millions of people. Leonel Correia Sacko with the African Union Commission writes in the report, “Not only are physical conditions getting worse, but also the number of people being affected is increasing.” Sacko adds that up to 118 million extremely poor people; those living on less than $1.90 a day, will be exposed to drought, floods, and extreme heat by 2030 if proper measures are not taken. Watch | Climate crisis hits South Africa's Cape Town Even though the African continent faces significant threats, African voices are underrepresented at global climate meetings and among those who write the most important scientific assessments of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The amount of African contributions to IPCC reports is extremely low, according to a multi-country research project called Future Climate for Africa. UN reports that famine-like conditions have already been created by climate change on Madagascar, an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Also read | Madagascar prays for rain as U.N. warns of 'climate change famine' The costs ahead are enormous. The report estimates that the cost of climate adaptation for sub-Saharan Africa will be between $30 and $50 billion each year over the next decade or about two to three per cent of GDP. “The cost of adapting to climate change in Africa will rise to $50 billion per year by 2050, even assuming the international efforts to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius.”

Africa: The continent with low emissions and high suffering, risks losing rare glaciers to global warming

Following an exceptionally warm summer, the iconic ice of the Canadian Rockies is melting at a rate that has never been seen before.

As observed by scientists, during the hot spell in early July and late June the glacier was experiencing 2/3 of ice melt per week.

Hydrologist and director of Global Water Futures Dr John Pomeroy say that it is harrowing to observe that the iconic sight was virtually unrecognizable from what was one&nbsp;or two years ago.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/worlds-northernmost-island-discovered-off-coast-of-greenland-by-scientists-409007" hreflang="en">‘World’s northernmost island’ discovered off coast of Greenland by scientists</a>

According to him, the glacier could lose up to seven metres of ice if this rate of melt continues, which would be the most drastic downward melt ever recorded for the glacier.

During the early 1900s, Banff National Park's famous Peyto Glacier stretched three and a half kilometres farther than it does today;&nbsp;stretching down the valley resting near the turquoise water of Peyto Lake.&nbsp;

Pomeroy said he was astonished and horrified by the glacial tongue's retreat of 200 metres over the past year, 10 times faster than the 50-year retreat. According to him&nbsp;widespread wildfires and record heat domes this season contributed to faster glacial melting.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-says-ocean-surface-climates-may-disappear-by-2100-408799" hreflang="en">Study says ocean surface climates may disappear by 2100</a>

Peyto Glacier forms the headwaters of the North Saskatchewan River and with its snowpack and ice melt, it maintains stream flows in the Prairie provinces.

Scientists are concerned about the downstream effects of the decline of this crucial source of water.

This year, the rivers and streams that aren't fed by glacial melt are experiencing some of the lowest flows ever recorded. By contrast, the flow of streams that are fed by the glacier has been above average this summer.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-dead-multiple-injured-in-sweltering-aftermath-of-hurricane-ida-409820" hreflang="en">Four dead, multiple injured in sweltering aftermath of Hurricane Ida</a>

In the Rocky Mountain national parks alone, 300 glaciers disappeared between 1920 and 2005, according to Sanford.

Pomeroy, who has been documenting Peyto&nbsp;for years, says that he never imagined that he would document the glacier's death; he believes it will not survive the next decade.

However, he adds, glaciers might re-grow in the future, provided that humans are able to get a hold on climate change.

Following an exceptionally warm summer, the iconic ice of the Canadian Rockies is melting at a rate that has never been seen before. As observed by scientists, during the hot spell in early July and late June the glacier was experiencing 2/3 of ice melt per week.

Following an exceptionally warm summer, the iconic ice of the Canadian Rockies is melting at a rate that has never been seen before. As observed by scientists, during the hot spell in early July and late June the glacier was experiencing 2/3 of ice melt per week. Hydrologist and director of Global Water Futures Dr John Pomeroy say that it is harrowing to observe that the iconic sight was virtually unrecognizable from what was one or two years ago. Also read | ‘World’s northernmost island’ discovered off coast of Greenland by scientists According to him, the glacier could lose up to seven metres of ice if this rate of melt continues, which would be the most drastic downward melt ever recorded for the glacier. During the early 1900s, Banff National Park's famous Peyto Glacier stretched three and a half kilometres farther than it does today; stretching down the valley resting near the turquoise water of Peyto Lake. Pomeroy said he was astonished and horrified by the glacial tongue's retreat of 200 metres over the past year, 10 times faster than the 50-year retreat. According to him widespread wildfires and record heat domes this season contributed to faster glacial melting. Also read | Study says ocean surface climates may disappear by 2100 Peyto Glacier forms the headwaters of the North Saskatchewan River and with its snowpack and ice melt, it maintains stream flows in the Prairie provinces. Scientists are concerned about the downstream effects of the decline of this crucial source of water. This year, the rivers and streams that aren't fed by glacial melt are experiencing some of the lowest flows ever recorded. By contrast, the flow of streams that are fed by the glacier has been above average this summer. Also read | Four dead, multiple injured in sweltering aftermath of Hurricane Ida In the Rocky Mountain national parks alone, 300 glaciers disappeared between 1920 and 2005, according to Sanford. Pomeroy, who has been documenting Peyto for years, says that he never imagined that he would document the glacier's death; he believes it will not survive the next decade. However, he adds, glaciers might re-grow in the future, provided that humans are able to get a hold on climate change.

Heatwave causes unprecedented glacial ice melt in Canadian Rocky Mountains

Chilean Patagonia: an open-air lab to study climate change