Austria’s glaciers are getting smaller – level 2
17-03-2026 15:00
Most glaciers in Austria are becoming smaller. A report from the Austrian Alpine Club says 94 of the country’s 96 glaciers moved back in the last two years.
Some glaciers became more than 100 metres shorter. The Pasterze Glacier is breaking apart.
Scientists say warm temperatures and low snowfall are causing this change. Last year, June was about 5°C hotter than normal. Similar glacier loss is happening in Switzerland and other places in the world.
Experts say melting glaciers could affect water, energy, farming, and tourism in the mountains. They believe these changes show that climate change is becoming a serious problem.
Difficult words: glacier (a very large, slow-moving mass of ice in mountains), break apart (to split into smaller pieces), melt (to change into water).
You can watch the original video in the Level 3 section.
What reasons do scientists give for the recent retreat and shortening of Austria’s glaciers?
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