Dolomites glacier melt reveals WWI munitions in Italy

Accelerated glacier melting in Italy’s Dolomites has exposed an arsenal of World War I explosives that had been buried under ice for over a century. Between August and mid-October, the Italian Army’s Julia Alpine Brigade conducted operations to recover and neutralize more than 250 explosive devices.

The munitions, which date back to the conflict known as the ‘White War’ between Italian and Austro-Hungarian forces (1915–1918), include 18 Italian 75mm artillery shells and 37 French-made Thevetot mortar bombs. Many of the items were first reported by hikers and mountaineers in areas such as Canal San Bovo in the Primiero Valley and the Trentino-Alto Adige region.

Experts, including Stefano Morosini from the University of Bergamo, note that the frequency of these discoveries is increasing due to global warming. As glaciers retreat, these century-old unexploded projectiles become highly unstable and dangerous. Authorities have urged the public to never touch any found artifacts and to report sightings immediately to the police or military.