The climate-driven disaster of the Marmolada Glacier (Italy)

On July 3, 2022, at 13:43:20 CEST (11:43:20 UTC), a mass of about 64,000 t of water, ice, and rock debris broke off from the Marmolada Glacier in the Dolomites (Northeastern Italian Alps), forming an ice avalanche that killed 11 mountaineers and injured 7 after flowing for about 2.3 km along the slope. The collapse occurred on the northern slope at an elevation of 3213 m above sea level and involved a major portion of a small isolated glacier. This small glacier was part of the glacial front until about a decade ago, and today, because of the fragmentation caused by the retreat, it remains isolated and contained within a niche on the north-facing slope just below the crest. The event was documented by several videos recorded by hikers who were at the site, which helped in the analysis of the causes. The seismic energy released by the event was comparable to an earthquake of 0.6 M. The detailed analysis of pre- and post-event stereoscopic satellite and aerial images led to a comprehensi...