The glaciers of the Dolomites are rapidly disappearing, with researchers warning that they could vanish within a few decades. This alarming prediction comes from Andrea Securo, a researcher at the Università Ca' Foscari of Venice and the Institute of Polar Sciences of the National Research Council, who states that the glaciers have fallen below the glacial equilibrium line and can no longer accumulate snow. "They are no longer in balance with today’s climate; unless there are particularly snowy years, they lack accumulation zones," Securo explained.
The study, which involved collaboration with the Comitato Glaciologico Italiano of Turin, the Università di Roma Tre, the Arpa of Veneto, and the Società Meteorologica Alpino-Adriatica, has quantified the volume of ice lost over the last 40 years for the first time. The findings indicate that the glaciers are indeed beyond the point of no return. Securo emphasized, "There’s no escape—they will disappear within a few decades, even though it’s impossible to say exactly when."
As of 2023, there were nine glaciers in the Dolomites, but due to the fragmentation of the Marmolada into four distinct bodies, the total number of glaciers rises to twelve. This fragmentation is a stark indicator of the glaciers' declining health. The total area of these twelve glaciers has decreased significantly, from just over four square kilometers in the 1980s to just under two square kilometers today—a staggering loss of 56%. Notably, 33% of this reduction has occurred since 2010 alone.
Among the glaciers, the Fradusta glacier, located on one of the main peaks of the Pale di San Martino in Trentino, has been particularly hard hit. It has experienced an average thickness reduction of 50 meters and a dramatic 90% reduction in area. Such figures paint a grim picture of the changing landscape in the Dolomites.
The study also examined temperature trends in the region, revealing a troubling increase of approximately two degrees Celsius over the past 40 years—an average rise of about 0.5 degrees per decade. While there has been an increase in snowfall at higher altitudes, this has not been nearly enough to counterbalance the melting caused by increasingly long and hot summers.
Securo pointed out that while the Dolomites have been the subject of numerous studies, the glaciers in this region have often remained on the fringes of scientific exploration. "The available data regarding their evolution over time has been extremely fragmented until now," he noted. To fill in the gaps, researchers employed two different methods: aerial images from the 1980s to 2010 and drone and helicopter imagery from 2010 to 2023.
As climate change continues to affect global weather patterns, the fate of the Dolomites' glaciers serves as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for action. The melting glaciers not only impact the local ecosystem but also have broader implications for water resources and tourism in the region.
The research findings were published on March 27, 2025, and underscore the critical state of the Dolomites' glaciers. With the ongoing climate crisis, the future of these magnificent natural wonders hangs in the balance. Environmentalists and scientists alike are calling for immediate measures to mitigate climate change effects and to protect what remains of these iconic glaciers.
In conclusion, the glaciers of the Dolomites are facing an unprecedented crisis, with the likelihood of their disappearance looming ever closer. The collaborative research effort sheds light on the dire situation, emphasizing the need for urgent action to address climate change and preserve these precious natural resources for future generations.
