St. Mary’s Glacier snowfield melts completely for the first time in recorded history

The snowfield known as St. Mary’s Glacier in Colorado has completely melted for the first time in recorded history. While scientists note the site has not been a true glacier in recent history, it had functioned as a perennial snowfield for a century, serving as a popular destination for skiers, snowboarders, and sightseers near Denver.

To mark the disappearance, activists from the international climate movement Glacier Nation and the Denver-based nonprofit The Green House Connection Center hosted a ceremony to mourn the loss. Participants used music and reflection to pay respects to the site and highlight the urgency of global warming and the disappearance of perennial snowfields.