Ice tales
Changes in the glaciers
Observations of the front variations include monitoring changes in shape and position of the front of a glacier. Once, this operation used to be carried out “by hand”, patiently drawing the profiles of the front, more recently photographing them from fixed positions, and measuring their retreat with mechanical instruments. Today, these operations are carried out generally using the GPS and aerial or satellite photographs, which enable a comparison of the variations year by year. Every year, the Comitato Glaciologico Italiano (Italian Glaciology Committee) promotes campaigns to measure the frontal variations of all the glaciers of the Alps and organizes interesting courses for those who wish to become glaciology operators.
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