(ANSA) - Aosta, September 24 - A radar system is being
installed to constantly monitor a glacier on the Italian side of
Mont Blanc is in danger of collapsing.
Local authorities are taking precautionary measures because a
block of 250,000 cubic metres of ice could break away from the
Planpincieux glacier on the Grandes Jorasses mountain of the
Mont Blanc massif.
The Valle d'Aosta regional government and the Fondazione
Montagna Sicura (Safe Mountain Foundation) raised the alarm
after seeing the glacier's movement accelerate to 50-60cm a day.
The council of the town of Courmayeur has closed a highway
due to the danger.
The situation could be helped by a drop in temperatures and a
snowfall forecast for later on Wednesday.
Experts say rapidly retreating glaciers, an important source
of fresh water, are among the many symptoms of the human-made
climate crisis.
"These phenomena once again show how the mountain is going
through a period of major change due to climate factors and,
therefore, it is particularly vulnerable," said Courmayeur Mayor
Stefano Miserocchi.
Radar to monitor Mont Blanc glacier
250,000 cubic metres of ice could break away