Before and after photos show how quickly ice is disappearing on Swiss glaciers

Glaciers and their streams, which were abundant many years ago, are disappearing due to climate change. According to Reuters, glaciologists say half of the small glaciers in Switzerland, as well as the glacier-fed streams, will be gone in less than 30 years.

To reduce the amount that disappears, nearby residents have been wrapping the glacier in blankets over the past eight summers, Quartz reported. According to Swiss glaciologist David Wolken, the method may be reducing the melting by up to 70%.

Take a look at how the amount of ice on the Rhone Glacier has changed since 2008.

The Rhone Glacier is located in Furka, a mountain pass in Switzerland. The top photo shows what it looks like now. On the bottom, a 2009 photo shows how much ice has vanished in the past nine years.

The Rhone Glacier is located in Furka, a mountain pass in Switzerland. The top photo shows what it looks like now. On the bottom, a 2009 photo shows how much ice has vanished in the past nine years. BusinessInsider

The top photo shows the amount of ice on the glacier in September 2018, while the bottom image was taken in July 2008.

The top photo shows the amount of ice on the glacier in September 2018, while the bottom image was taken in July 2008. BusinessInsider

In addition to covering glaciers with blankets, a Dutch research group has proposed blowing artificial snow across glaciers to help reflect sunlight.

In addition to covering glaciers with blankets, a Dutch research group has proposed blowing artificial snow across glaciers to help reflect sunlight. BusinessInsider

This method could be applied to the Rhone.

Another set of photos shows the difference in ice on Rhone Glacier between September 2018 (top) and September 2009 (bottom). BusinessInsider

Researchers are trying to find out what, in addition to water, is lost when a glacier melts.

A tourist takes a photo inside the Ice Cave in Furka. BusinessInsider

Here, Hannes Peter from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne gathers microorganisms from a stream near Rhone Glacier. He wants to study their DNA and figure out how the organisms have adapted to an extreme environment.

Here, Hannes Peter from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne gathers microorganisms from a stream near Rhone Glacier. He wants to study their DNA and figure out how the organisms have adapted to an extreme environment. BusinessInsider

According to Reuters, the researchers will examine hundreds of streams at the largest glaciers in the world to collect microorganisms.

According to Reuters, the researchers will examine hundreds of streams at the largest glaciers in the world to collect microorganisms. BusinessInsider

Before and after photos show how quickly ice is disappearing on Swiss glaciers

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