Western Europe’s highest peak has shrunk over the past two yearsaccording to researchers.

The summit of Mont Blanc has been measured at 4,805.59 meters which is 2.22 meters lower than in 2021.

Chief surveyor Jean des Garets said the shrinkage could have been caused by less rain this summer.

The height of the mountain in south-eastern France measured every two years, as part of monitoring the impact of climate change on the Alps.

Mr des Garets said his team had collected a lot of information about Mont Blanc since measurements began in 2001. “The peak is constantly changing in elevation and position, with changes of up to five meters,” he said, “Mont Blanc could well be much higher in two years.”

But according to the previous measurements this scenario is likely not to be verified. After the 2021 measurements, experts find that the mountain was losing an average of about 13 centimeters in height per year.

“We are collecting the data for future generations,” added Mr. des Garets. “We are not here to interpret them, we leave that to the scientists.”

The rocky peak of Mont Blanc is 4,792 meters above sea level, but the variation in height comes from the snow and ice at the top. The amount depends on wind and weather conditions, and researchers said the shrinkage could have been caused by “less precipitation” – or less rain – this year.

A higher height would have been recorded if there had been heavier rainfall and lower winds.

The concern is not limited to Mont Blanc alone. Tlast week it was announced that glaciers in Switzerland had suffered their second biggest annual loss, which scientists say is due to global warming.

Last month a team of 20 people climbed Mont Blanc to carry out the measurement, which took several days. Divided into eight teams, this was the first time they used a drone to determine the height of the peak.

Mont Blanc is nicknamed “the roof of Europe” and it is estimated that between 20,000 and 30,000 people each year attempt to climb to its summit.
The mountain’s highest recorded height was 4,810.90 meters in 2007.
Heatwaves have become more frequent, more intense and last longer due to human-induced climate change.