ON
← Back to feed
The Marmolada may only live for ten years: the glacier loses 9 hectares in one year.
Italy🏛️ PoliticsCenter9/8/2026

The Marmolada may only live for ten years: the glacier loses 9 hectares in one year.

The Marmolada glacier has experienced significant retreat, losing 9 hectares of surface area in just one year, reducing its total size from 92 to 83 hectares. This marks a new negative record, with the glacier’s front retreating an average of 23 meters, three times more than the previous year. The data comes from the eighth edition of the Participated Glaciological Campaign on Marmolada, organized by the University of Padua’s Museum of Geography and supported by regional environmental agencies and Italian glaciological foundations. Volunteers contributed to measurements, highlighting the accelerating loss of ice. Researchers warn that if summers like this continue, the glacier could survive only about ten more years. The western sector showed particularly severe retreat, with the front moving back 120 meters over two years. High temperatures and lack of snowfall at high altitudes have worsened the situation, while permafrost degradation has been noted at monitoring stations.

The Marmolada glacier has lost 9 hectares of surface area in just one year, according to data from the eighth edition of the Participated Glaciological Campaign on the Marmolada. The glacier, located at the border between Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige, ended the summer of 2026 with another negative record. Its surface area dropped from 92 hectares measured in 2025 to 83 hectares today. The glacier’s front has retreated an average of 23 meters, three times more than recorded last year. The campaign was organized by the Museum of Geography at the University of Padua, in collaboration with the Regional Environmental Protection Agency of Veneto (Arpav) and the Italian Glaciological Foundation. Volunteers aged 16 to 75, including hikers, teachers, and enthusiasts, participated in the measurements. The retreat of the glacier's front has been particularly marked in its western sector, where it has receded 120 meters over two years. The front is now at an elevation above 2,900 meters. The situation has worsened due to the weather conditions of the past summer, which was the hottest in the Dolomites since 1991, according to Gianni Marigo of Arpav. The lack of snowfall at higher elevations prevented the necessary replenishment of ice mass. Additionally, the permafrost, permanently frozen ground at high altitudes, has continued to degrade. At the monitoring station on Piz Boè, the highest peak of the Sella Group, there is no frozen ground at any depth. The Marmolada’s current status reflects a long-term trend of glacial reduction. However, the data from this summer show a particularly sharp acceleration. In twelve months, nine of the previously recorded 92 hectares have disappeared, and the front has retreated an average of 23 meters. Comparing these figures to those from 2022 highlights the significance of this year’s results. Four years ago, the Marmolada had already experienced a notable loss, coinciding with the collapse that killed 11 climbers. Now, new measurements reveal another record loss linked primarily to the duration and intensity of heat and the scarcity of snowfall at higher altitudes. Mauro Varotto, a geography professor at the University of Padova and scientific leader of the campaign, expressed concern. He stated that if summers continue to be like the recent one, the glacier could survive only about ten more years. The data collected this year reinforce the already evident trend observed over the past decades. The retreat of the glacier continues to raise alarms among scientists and environmentalists, emphasizing the urgent need for further study and action.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

Il Fatto Quotidiano logoIl Fatto QuotidianoIndependentCenterFactual 95Objective 909/8/2026
The Marmolada may only live for ten years: the glacier loses 9 hectares in one year.

The Marmolada glacier has experienced significant retreat, losing 9 hectares of surface area in just one year, reducing its total size from 92 to 83 hectares. This marks a new negative record, with the glacier’s front retreating an average of 23 meters, three times more than the previous year. The data comes from the eighth edition of the Participated Glaciological Campaign on Marmolada, organized by the University of Padua’s Museum of Geography and supported by regional environmental agencies and Italian glaciological foundations. Volunteers contributed to measurements, highlighting the accelerating loss of ice. Researchers warn that if summers like this continue, the glacier could survive only about ten more years. The western sector showed particularly severe retreat, with the front moving back 120 meters over two years. High temperatures and lack of snowfall at high altitudes have worsened the situation, while permafrost degradation has been noted at monitoring stations.

Bias read (Center): While the article discusses climate change impacts on a natural feature, it does not frame the issue through a political lens or take sides on policy solutions. The focus remains on scientific findings and expert commentary without overt ideological leaning. The tone is informative rather than polem

Why factuality (95): The article provides specific data from the eighth edition of the Participatory Glaciological Campaign on Marmolada, including surface area loss (from 92 to 83 hectares), a 23-meter retreat, and mentions collaboration with institutions like Arpav and the University of Padova. These details align wit

Why objectivity (90): The article presents the information in a largely neutral manner, citing experts and providing context about past events such as the 2022 ice avalanche. While it uses terms like 'record negativo,' these are descriptive rather than emotionally charged. The tone remains factual and balanced.

Open logoOpenIndependentCenterFactual 92Objective 889/8/2026
The last ten years of Marmolada's life: So the glacier is disappearing

The article discusses the rapid retreat of the Marmolada glacier in Italy over the past decade, highlighting significant losses in both surface area and altitude. In the last year alone, the glacier has receded by 23 meters, reducing its surface area from 92 to 83 hectares. Since the mid-1800s, the Alps have lost 57% of their glacial surface, with the rate of decline tripling since 2000. The extreme summer temperatures, reaching 24.3°C across Italy, have accelerated this process. Experts predict the glacier could disappear entirely within ten years. Data from the Participated Glaciological Campaign by the University of Padua’s Museum of Geography indicates these changes. The article notes that the permanent ice (permafrost) on Piz Boè, the highest peak of the Sella, has completely melted, and snowfall has been minimal at high altitudes. Protective measures such as geotextile covers have been deployed to slow melting on ski slopes.

Bias read (Center): The article presents factual data and expert predictions regarding the environmental impact of climate change on the Marmolada glacier. It does not take a partisan stance but rather reports scientific findings and historical trends. While the issue of climate change is politically charged, the tone,

Why factuality (92): The article accurately reports the 23-meter retreat, the reduction in surface area from 92 to 83 hectares, and references the 2022 ice avalanche. It also cites Mauro Varotto and his concerns about the glacier disappearing within ten years. However, it lacks some of the detailed methodological contex

Why objectivity (88): The article maintains a mostly objective tone but includes phrases like 'estati così' and 'sparire nel giro di un decennio,' which slightly emphasize the urgency of the situation. This may introduce a subtle bias toward concern, though it remains relatively balanced compared to more alarmist reporti

How each side covered it

The same event, grouped by the political lean of the outlets covering it.

How each side covered it

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Covered around the world

The same event as reported in other countries.

Covered around the world

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Claims check

Key factual claims, and how many sources assert vs dispute each.

Claims check

Support independent, bias-aware news and unlock the social pulse, community voting, and every other Supporter feature.

Become a Supporter

Keep the news honest.

ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €4/month.

Become a Supporter

Related stories