Mountain glaciers are at risk as the persistent heat wave in Europe and across the Northern Hemisphere continues to manifests. Glaciologists claim that the scorching heat could result in the further collapse of these natural structures, which are threatened even further by climate change and global warming.
Northern Hemisphere Extreme Heat
On July 3, prior to the ongoing European heatwave, the Marmolada Glacier in Italy sustained a relatively small crack on its surface before burying and killing 11 people. The victims in the Italian Alps were a part of a group of over a dozen hikers when the mountain glacier avalanche.
Experts and local authorities attribute the snow landslide, consisting of icy rocks, to be triggered by warming temperatures and snow droughts.
While the natural disaster seemed isolated at that time, it highlights the effect of heat waves on Earth's Northern Hemisphere, notably in North America and Europe.
Currently, the long-held speculations are being confirmed after glaciologists have started tracking a new crack, with a size of about 650 feet long and over 100 feet wide, according to Inside Climate News.
The unique finding of the crack stems from the fact it is also situated at the Marmolada Glacier, but on a different part of the mountain snow. In addition, the discovery also reportedly intensifies concerns of unprecedented threats as climate change and global warming continues to heat up the planet.
Also Read: Artificial Material Developed to Reduce Glacial Ice Melt in Mountain Areas: New Study
Climate Change: Glacier Ice Melt
For many years, various studies and reports have shown that the ongoing climate crisis is capable of changing weather patterns, increase and prolong extreme weather events, and aggravate storms.
It is for this reason, that glaciologists warn that further mountain glacier collapses are possible, if not, imminent in the future.
This is likely certain unless significant actions are taken including those measures stipulated by the 2015 Paris Agreement spearheaded by the United Nations.
European Heat Waves
For over a week, heat wave-triggered wildfires have ravaged several countries in Europe, especially France.
In France, persistent wildfires in the southwestern region forced the evacuation of 30,000 people from their homes and use temporary emergency shelters set up for evacuees.
In the popular tourist French region of Gironde, firefighters are scrambling to contain the massive fires which already destroyed nearly 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of land area since July 12, according to the BBC.
Similar blazes were reported in Greece, Portugal, and Spain, forcing the evacuation of thousands of people.
The widespread heat dome also affected parts of North Africa, even as far as Morocco where heat warnings are in place until Sunday, July 24. Such extreme weather event is likely to continue in the coming days and even weeks.
Heat Related Deaths
Multiple media reports, including the BBC and ABC News, indicate more than 1,000 people died from heat-related factors in Spain and Portugal in recent days.
In Spain, at least 510 heat-related deaths were recorded July 10 and July 18. In Portugal, 659 related fatalities were recorded between July 7 and July 17.
Related Article: Extreme Weather Envelops Europe as Heat Wave Grips the UK and Wildfires Engulf France and Portugal