An Italian researcher was involved in a horrifying incident on September 3, while he was studying the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska. During his research, he lost his footing and was swept away by a stream of meltwater, causing him to plunge into an icy shaft.
As Tess Williams, a spokesperson from the Alaska Department of Public Safety, recounted, “The water then pushed him into a moulin, which is a vertical channel in a glacier where meltwater flows down.” Unfortunately, his body was found on September 6, after rescue efforts were deemed too dangerous.
What’s Going On at Mendenhall Glacier?
Located about 13 miles from Juneau, the Mendenhall Glacier is part of the expansive Juneau Icefield, renowned as the fifth largest icefield across North America, spanning around 1,500 square miles.
This deadly event follows closely behind a worrying pattern. Just a month before Pozzobon’s tragic incident, both the Mendenhall and nearby Suicide Glaciers experienced a glacial lake outburst flood. According to reports by The New York Times, the melting glaciers, which were formerly joined, are now separated by a gap referred to as Suicide Basin due to significant glacial melt.
Glacial lake outburst floods occur when water trapped atop a glacier rapidly rushes out after changes in the ice, often from melting or landslides, unleashing potentially severe flooding downstream. Since 2011, this type of flooding of the Mendenhall River has occurred 39 times.
The Importance of Monitoring Ice Melting
The issue of glacial ice melt is becoming increasingly critical for communities reliant on glaciers globally.
These flood events are also a major concern in other regions like Pakistan, Tibet, and Nepal. The ramifications extend beyond local populations; when polar ice melts, it contributes significantly to rising sea levels, affecting things like surge tides during severe weather and causing coastal flooding. Research from NASA indicates that if all glaciers melted, we could see a staggering rise in sea levels by as much as 195 feet.
Moreover, the melting processes bring about public health concerns as well. As ice thaws, it can release bacteria and pathogens that have been trapped in ice for centuries. This poses risks of zoonosis, where diseases can migrate from Arctic creatures to humans.
Addressing the Ice Melt Crisis
Solutions for addressing the climate crisis are complex and not immediate. The World Meteorological Organization has emphasized the necessity for taking these issues regarding ice melt seriously, highlighting the significant impact they have on various population groups and their economies.
With such daunting challenges ahead, many scientists are exploring geoengineering as a potential way to manage ice melt. However, experts express concerns over its effectiveness as a realistic fix due to the risk of unpredictable outcomes. Ultimately, transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources remains the root of long-term solutions.
Stay informed by joining our free newsletter for a dose of good news and useful tips! Also, take a look at this helpful list for easy ways to benefit both yourself and the planet.
This piece originally appeared on The Cool Down.
