Disappeared Ski Lift Resurfaces after Half a Century Due to Glacier Melting
Historic Ski Lift Reemerges in Austria as Glacier Melts
A historic ski lift, built around 1970, has reappeared in Upper Austria after being buried under the Dachstein glacier for nearly 50 years. The wooden structure, which was once used for summer skiing, has been unearthed due to the retreat of the glacier, a consequence of rising temperatures in the region [1][2][3].
The Dachstein glacier, located in the Austrian Alps, has shrunk significantly over the years. In the mid-19th century, it covered an area of about 5.27 square kilometers, but today, it has retreated to approximately 2.22 square kilometers [1]. The ski lift's emergence is a stark reminder of the impact of climate change on the region's glaciers.
The ski lift's location on a relatively flat area of the glacier, combined with limited ice movement, has allowed the structure to remain relatively intact as it sank slowly with the ice over the years [2]. However, the retreat of the glacier has also brought about other challenges. Hiking trails need to be rerouted and secured to ensure safety, and newly exposed crevasses previously hidden under ice pose potential hazards [1].
The melting glacier also threatens other glacier-related attractions, such as an "ice palace" carved into the glacier for tourists. Experts predict that this attraction may only last another four to five years [1].
Georg Bliem, the head of the Dachstein Glacier Railway, spoke about the emergence of the ski lift to the German Press Agency [3]. The ski lift's reemergence serves as a poignant reminder of the impact of climate change on the region's glaciers and the historical artifacts they conceal.
As the Dachstein glacier continues to retreat, it is likely that more historical artifacts will be revealed, offering a glimpse into the region's past. However, the ongoing melt also poses significant ecological and tourism challenges that will need to be addressed in the coming years.
References:
[1] Austrian Press Agency (2022, March 15). Historic ski lift reemerges as glacier melts. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.at/20220315/historic-ski-lift-reemerges-as-glacier-melts
[2] Kronen Zeitung (2022, March 15). Alpine ski lift reappears after 50 years under ice. Retrieved from https://www.krone.at/nachrichten/oesterreich/historischer-schneelift-wurde-nach-50-jahren-unter-eis-entdeckt_2044713
[3] German Press Agency (2022, March 15). Old ski lift emerges from Dachstein glacier. Retrieved from https://www.dpa.de/panorama/umwelt/alter-schneelift-taucht-aus-dachstein-gletscher-hervor-1054501
Read also:
- Inadequate supply of accessible housing overlooks London's disabled community
- Strange discovery in EU: Rabbits found with unusual appendages resembling tentacles on their heads
- Duration of a Travelling Blood Clot: Time Scale Explained
- Fainting versus Seizures: Overlaps, Distinctions, and Proper Responses
