Global warming makes Mont Blanc grow

Mikael · 10-16-2007, 07:46 AM

Global warming makes Mont Blanc grow

By Henry Samuel in Paris
Last Updated: 4:01pm BST 15/10/2007

Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in France and western Europe, has grown more than two metres in two years - ironically as a result of global warming, experts have found.

The Alps' tallest peak was measured at 4,810.90 metres (15,784 feet) last month, surveyors from France's Haute-Savoie region announced.

Generations of French schoolchildren were taught the famous peak was 4,807 metres tall, but it has been growing since 2003 and at a faster rate in recent months.

"The height as well as the volume of Mont Blanc has increased considerably, because the snow has massed on the summit over the last two years," said Philippe Borel, one of the survey team, at a meeting in the nearby resort of Chamonix.

The volume of ice on Mont Blanc's slopes has almost doubled since 2005 to reach 24,100 cubic metres this year, while snow has built up due to greater frequency of winds and higher temperatures in the summer, believed to be cause by global warming.

"This brings sticky snow above 4,000 metres up which grips onto the mountainside," said Yan Giezendanner, a meteorologist.

The phenomenon appears to go against the trend of sparser snow and ice on other European peaks that is a great concern to ski resorts and ski lovers.

Mr Giezendanner said such "growth" in mountains was specific to higher Alpine peaks.

"Glaciers at high altitude seem to be growing, while those situated at mid or low altitude are melting, shrinking and threatened with extinction," he said.

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coolraoul · 12-14-2007, 08:59 AM

This is cool!!

10-16-2007, 07:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mikael Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,915 Thanks: 873 Thanked 387 Times in 237 Posts	Global warming makes Mont Blanc grow Global warming makes Mont Blanc grow By Henry Samuel in Paris Last Updated: 4:01pm BST 15/10/2007 Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in France and western Europe, has grown more than two metres in two years - ironically as a result of global warming, experts have found. The Alps' tallest peak was measured at 4,810.90 metres (15,784 feet) last month, surveyors from France's Haute-Savoie region announced. Generations of French schoolchildren were taught the famous peak was 4,807 metres tall, but it has been growing since 2003 and at a faster rate in recent months. "The height as well as the volume of Mont Blanc has increased considerably, because the snow has massed on the summit over the last two years," said Philippe Borel, one of the survey team, at a meeting in the nearby resort of Chamonix. The volume of ice on Mont Blanc's slopes has almost doubled since 2005 to reach 24,100 cubic metres this year, while snow has built up due to greater frequency of winds and higher temperatures in the summer, believed to be cause by global warming. "This brings sticky snow above 4,000 metres up which grips onto the mountainside," said Yan Giezendanner, a meteorologist. The phenomenon appears to go against the trend of sparser snow and ice on other European peaks that is a great concern to ski resorts and ski lovers. Mr Giezendanner said such "growth" in mountains was specific to higher Alpine peaks. "Glaciers at high altitude seem to be growing, while those situated at mid or low altitude are melting, shrinking and threatened with extinction," he said. Source: - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

12-14-2007, 08:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
coolraoul Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: France (Paris) Posts: 78 Thanks: 76 Thanked 53 Times in 30 Posts	Re: Global warming makes Mont Blanc grow This is cool!!

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