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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Silvia Stellacci

One of Italy’s largest glaciers now too unstable for scientists to visit

Geologists report that the Ventina glacier has already lost 1.7 kilometres (1 mile) in length since the first measuring benchmarks were established in 1895. - (Lombardy Glaciology Service via AP)

Italy’s Ventina glacier, one of the largest in northern Lombardy, has receded so significantly due to climate change that geologists can no longer measure it using methods employed for the past 130 years.

Following this year’s intense summer heat, scientists discovered that the simple stakes, historically used as benchmarks to track the glacier’s annual retraction, are now buried under rockslides and debris.

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