The highest peak in the European Union has become two meters lower, DW reports.
Europe’s main peak, Mont Blanc in south-eastern France, has become 2 meters and 22 centimeters lower over the past two years. Measurements taken in September show that the height of the mountain is 4805 meters 59 centimeters above sea level. Previous measurements took place in 2021.
The reduction in the thickness of the snow cap covering the rocky part of the highest peak of the Alps may be associated with a decrease in the amount of precipitation that fell in summer, noted geodesist Jean de Gare.
However, climatologists, glaciologists, and other scientists will have to study the collected data and put forward all the theories that explain the new measurement result, the expert pointed out.
The rocky part of the mountain is located at a level of 4792 meters above sea level. The cap of snow and ice covering it changes its thickness from year to year.
Since 2001, researchers have carried out similar measurements every two years, and this year they used an unmanned aerial vehicle for the first time. In this way, scientists expect to obtain information about the consequences of climate change for the Alps.