Near-total Loss of Glaciers in Western Austria at 2°C

The Cryosphere, 1 April 2025

Near-complete glacier loss is expected in new projections of the Ötztal and Stubai mountain ranges of western Austria with global warming above 1.5°C. Between 2006 and 2017, roughly 20% of both glacier area and volume was lost across this region, with five glaciers disappearing entirely. Researchers consolidated decades of glacier measurements to create improved regional projections of future loss under multiple emissions scenarios. More than 100 glaciers in western Austria are likely to disappear by 2030 even if temperatures remain within 1.5°C, but reaching 2°C would result in near-complete deglaciation by 2100. Current levels of carbon emissions (on track to reach 2.7°C by end of century) could lead to near-complete glacial loss before 2075. Global emissions must be urgently reduced to limit the hazardous losses projected by these models.

Full Paper: https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/19/1431/2025/

By Emily Jacobson, Science Writing Intern; Amy Imdieke, Global Outreach Director; and Pam Pearson, Director of ICCI.
Published Apr. 14, 2025      Updated Apr. 14, 2025 6:13 pm