Germany's Four Remaining Glaciers Could All Disappear by the 2030s

This article is reprinted from [Xinhua News Agency];

Xinhua News Agency, Berlin, March 20 (Reporter Chu Yi, Du Zheyu) — German researchers released their findings on March 21, the eve of World Glaciers Day, stating that due to climate change, the four remaining glaciers in Germany are melting at an accelerated rate and may disappear entirely by the 2030s.

The latest measurements from the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and other institutions show that the four existing glaciers in Germany have lost more than a quarter of their total area between 2023 and 2025. Among them, the Blaueis Glacier and the Watzmann Glacier each shrank by over 40%, both located in the Alps region of Berchtesgaden, Bavaria.

Researchers said that from 2023 to 2025, these four glaciers collectively lost about 1 million cubic meters of ice, with an average annual ice thickness decrease of 1.6 meters, significantly faster than the melting rate from 2018 to 2023. They believe this is mainly related to the sustained higher temperatures in the Alps region in recent years due to climate change.

Glacier melting has also impacted local infrastructure. Due to the significant reduction of ice surface, a ski cable car on the North Schneeferner Glacier, located on the plateau north of Germany’s highest peak, Zugspitze, was dismantled starting on the 20th after being out of operation for two winter seasons. This means Germany will lose its only glacier ski resort.

Affected by high temperatures and other factors, the South Schneeferner Glacier south of Zugspitze lost its “glacier status” in 2022. It was once Germany’s fifth glacier.

Researchers said that the warming rate in the Alps is about twice the global average. The exposed dark rocky debris after glacier melting absorbs more heat, further accelerating the melting process.

“Glacier melting is one of the most direct signs of the climate crisis. To protect the Alps, an important natural habitat and human living space, all parties must take stronger action on climate protection,” said Wolfgang Arnold, Vice President of the German Alpine Club.