Glacial Retreat in the Dolomites
The glaciers of the Italian Dolomites, once abundant, are now rapidly disappearing due to climate change. Over the past four decades, these glaciers have suffered significant ice loss, with only 12 remaining from the dozens that existed just a few decades ago. A recent study has provided a comprehensive multi-decadal analysis (1980s–2023) of glacier retreat in the region, using a combination of LiDAR, UAV-based Structure from Motion (SfM), and SfM from historical aerial imagery. This is the first study of its kind to to address the decadal change of Dolomite glaciers.
Methodology Used for Monitoring Glacial Retreat
Monitoring remote, alpine glaciers through remote sensing is often challenging because of the incompatibility between their size and the spatial resolution of satellites. This study leveraged a combination of techniques to piece together the history of this dynamic landscape. Aerial photos were available spanning three decades (1980-2012). Airborne lidar was flown in 2010 and 2014, and UAV surveys were conducted in 2023. This required researchers to be creative about the techniques that they used to address their research questions. One of the challenges is accurately using historic aerial images that were not originally intended for 3D modeling. The lidar datasets acted as a reference dataset, providing researchers with a datum for attempting to correct older SfM reconstructions.
The Extent of Glacial Retreat in the Dolomites
Ultimately, researchers used this amalgamation of data sources to calculate surface elevation and mass balance change over a 40 year period. The results, like most glaciological studies are gloomy.
- An average glacier surface elevation loss of 28.7 meters from the 1980s to 2023, with 33% of the loss occurring between 2010 and 2023.
- The Marmolada Glacier alone accounts for 66% of total volume loss in the Dolomites.
- A 56% reduction in total glaciated area, with some glaciers fragmenting into smaller ice patches or disappearing completely.
Hats Off to Good Research & Additional Reading
This group of European researchers has demonstrated an effective methodology for reconstructing recent glacial histories where historic aerial photography is available. I encourage you access their open-source research for more details – The Glaciers of the Dolomites: last 40 years of melting.
For other examples of using remote sensing for glaciology, consider reading, Thermal Drone Imagery Used to Analyze Glaciers.
Pack Your Bags!
And if you want to see the glaciers of the Dolomites, start planning your trip!
