European Heatwave Effects: Sweden's Tallest Peak of Kebnekaise Mountain Loses as Glacier Top Melts

The global warming effects are seen the world over and the weather conditions are only going in extremes. The weather is far from being regular with summers only getting hotter and winters too cold. Currently as part of our country is dealing with heavy downpour than usual, parts of  Europe are battling the heatwave, as the temperatures keep on rising. Among all this, the tallest peak in Sweden has lost its title, because of the heat melting away the glacier. The height of Kebnekaise mountain has dropped by 13 feet in the month of July.

Now Kebnekaise’s north peak is higher than the south peak as the ice on top has melted, while the north peak which is made up of more rocks than ice remains at its record of 2,096.8 meters high (as measured on July 31). The ice on South peak was melting at an average loss of about 5.5 inches of the glacier daily. The research station mentions that on August 1, Sweden's highest point melted to lose its title to the North peak. The glacier has been receding too quickly that even geologists are shocked. The measurement was done on a regular basis and the South peak was just 20 cms taller than the North peak. A day later on Wednesday, August 1, the glacier had melted enough, to make the Northern peak take the title now, as informed by Gunhild Rosqvist, head of the Tarfala Research Station near the mountain.

The month of July saw extremely hot temperatures in Sweden. Some parts of the country even experiencing drought situation along with forest fires, ever experienced by a country. The temperature was higher by 3-5 degrees than normal. According to the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, some weather stations in the country recorded an average temperature above 20 degrees.

The situation puts a light on how severe the temperatures are rising and how the weather changes affect more of nature, the after-effects are seen on us. Despite creating awareness about global warming and ways to prevent it, the damage is done much to control it immediately. The tallest peaks are no more tall, as the weather is taking them down.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 03, 2018 02:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).