Marmolada glacier retreats 23 meters in record summer loss

The Marmolada glacier in the Dolomites has experienced a record retreat, shrinking by an average of 23 meters by the end of the 2026 summer season. This loss is nearly triple the 8 meters recorded last year. According to data from the eighth Participatory Glaciological Campaign, organized by the University of Padua, the glacier's total surface area has decreased from 92 to 83 hectares.

Scientific experts, including Mauro Varotto from the University of Padua, noted that this loss of 9 hectares in a single year matches the significant reduction seen in 2022. The western front of the glacier is particularly affected, having retreated 120 meters over the last two years, with the front now situated above 2,900 meters.

The monitoring effort involved researchers from the University of Padua, Arpav, and the Italian Glaciological Foundation, alongside volunteers. Experts warned that if summer temperatures continue at this record-breaking pace, the glacier could potentially vanish within a decade.