NationStates Jolt Archive


Swiss to glad wrap glacier

Patra Caesar
22-03-2005, 05:10
Wow, imagine how you would be fitting that into your freezer. Still, at this rate in 60 years it won't be a problem because there will be nothing left.
Source (http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12623287-13762,00.html)
[quote=Agence France-Presse]
Swiss to wrap up shrinking glacier
From correspondents in Geneva
March 22, 2005

SWISS technicians are to use a special insulating foam to wrap up a glacier that has been shrinking under the summer sun, an official from a resort whose clients ski down the ice-field said.

Carlo Danioth, in charge of the slopes at the Andermatt resort in central Switzerland, said the Gurschen glacier was to be partially covered with 3000 square metres (32,300 square feet) of PVC foam from the beginning of May.

Confirming a report in the weekly Sonntags Zeitung newspaper, Danioth said the aim was to halt the melting of the glacier, a phenomenon that has been attributed to global climate warming.

"If the trial is a success, we'll wrap the other part of the glacier too," he said.

He added that the ice-field was receding by some five metres per year.

The cost of the PCV covering, which is to be left in place during the summer season when skiers do not frequent the resort, was some 30 Swiss francs ($21.62) per square metre, he said.

The initial heat shield for the glacier would therefore cost some 100,000 Swiss francs ($108,125).

A study published last year by Zurich University estimated that the country's glaciers have lost around a fifth of their surface area over the past 15 years. The study, carried out using satellite data, also found that the rate of ice-loss was accelerating.

A number of other Swiss ski resorts are reported to be considering similar measures.
Potaria
22-03-2005, 05:18
That's quite an odd thing to do, but I hope it works.
I_Hate_Cows
22-03-2005, 05:35
Of course it will work. Anyone see the episode of Mythbusters where they left two snowmen out in the sun with one by itself and on completely wrapped up in winter gear. The one wrapped up stayed frozen the longest
Bogstonia
22-03-2005, 05:45
Mythbusters is such a cool show.
Potaria
22-03-2005, 05:48
It truly is. I love it when they abuse their dummy :D.
Bogstonia
22-03-2005, 06:20
It truly is. I love it when they abuse their dummy :D.

Agreed. Also, I want some of that goo they have that makes mould similar to human flesh. That'd be mad fun beating into :)
Boonytopia
22-03-2005, 06:23
It truly is. I love it when they abuse their dummy :D.

Yeah, Buster really cops a flogging. It's very cool. :)
Patra Caesar
22-03-2005, 06:56
Yes, I like Mythbusters too.:)
Alinania
22-03-2005, 19:59
huh. I am Swiss, and I do live in Switzerland, but I haven't heard of this before. Sounds...interesting. I shall go there and I'll report back telling you what it looks like. ;)