Rhone Glacier

A Journey Through Time and Climate Change.

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About

The Rhone Glacier, located in the Swiss Alps at 3,600 meters above sea level, is a renowned natural landmark and the primary source of the Rhone River, which flows through Switzerland and France into the Mediterranean Sea. Famous for its ice caves and panoramic views, it has long been a popular tourist destination and a focus of scientific study. However, over the past 150 years, it has retreated significantly, losing much of its mass due to rising global temperatures, making it a stark example of the impacts of climate change.

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The Evolution:

1849 vs. 2019

In 1849, the Rhone Glacier extended down to the valley floor, showcasing its majestic and powerful presence. By 2019, however, it had retreated significantly. This striking before-and-after comparison highlights the long-term impacts of climate change, which have led glaciers like the Rhône to lose much of their mass and transform the landscape.

Rhonequelle Area: Witnessing Retreat

The Rhonequelle area, where the Rhone River originates at an altitude of 2,210 meters, serves as a vital observation point for understanding glacial retreat. Continuous monitoring by SwissGlaciers.org provides invaluable insights into the deglaciation process. This monitoring effort, conducted annually each July, captures detailed images documenting the glacier’s ongoing changes.

Analysis of the Rhone Glacier

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Glacier Inventories

Through Time

Over the years, various organizations have conducted inventories of the Rhône Glacier, using different techniques and methodologies to monitor its size and changes. Despite variations in the tools and approaches used for these inventories, the overarching trend remains clear: the glacier has been consistently retreating.

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Sentinel-2 Imagery:

Glacier Retreat (2017 - 2023)

Sentinel-2 satellite images reveal that changes in the ice cover are variable and depend on the climatic conditions of each year. Glacier inventories suggest that the Rhone Glacier still covers a larger area than what is visible in the satellite images. This discrepancy occurs because the southern segment of the glacier consists of a thin layer of ice mixed with rock, as shown in the Rhonequelle Area section. However, the overall trend remains consistent, with 2023 standing out as the most alarming year due to a significant reduction in ice cover compared to previous years.

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Project

Mapping Project
M.Sc. in Cartography, TUM

Authors

Lesly Bautista
Paula Martin

Sources

Sentinel 2
SwissGlaciers.org