Suretta Sud Glacier - Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo

Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo 

Terra glaciālis 

12

TERRA GLACIALIS 

Annual Scientific Magazine, Year XII 

Authorization by Milan Court n° 546, 28th July, 1998 

Editor in Chief Luca Arzuffi 

2009, SGL Association – Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo 

Editorial project and coordination 

Luca Bonardi, Riccardo Scotti, Andrea Toffaletti 

Scientific Review 

Luca Bonardi, Flavio Cambieri, Paolo Pagliardi, Riccardo Scotti, Andrea Toffaletti 

Graphics and layout 

Andrea Toffaletti 

Distribution 

Flavio Cambieri, Davide Colombarolli, Alessandro Galluccio, Maria Emilia Peroschi, Fabrizio Roveda, 

Riccardo Scotti 

English translation 

Irene Bollati, Flavio Cambieri 

Total or partial translation, reproduction and adaptation, by all means (included microfilms and photocopies), 

with the obligation of source citation, are free for all countries. 

Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo - Milano, March 2009 

www. sgl.cluster.it 

contatti: sgl@cluster.it 

Cover page: active bédière on the Savoretta Glacier (Rezzalo Valley), August 2008 (photo by D. Colombarolli)

INDEX 

Editorial 4 

Snow-meteorological Report 7 

2008 Glaciological Survey 21 

Mass balances 51

Editorial 

EDITORIAL 

As previously announced, Terra Glacialis has changed its format. 

For the better or the worse, over the last decade the dissemination of scientific reports 

has witnessed many changes, mostly driven by Internet, with further developments 

probably forthcoming. 

At the same time, other transformations as sudden as the previous ones have affected 

the objects of our studies: the glaciers. 

As a consequence, after 11 years we have been forced to partially reconsider scope, 

contents and timing of this magazine. 

More in detail, the fast evolution (actually a dramatic involution) of the glacialism of 

the Central Alps and the consequent and growing attention it demands are calling for 

a faster turnaround between the monitoring/data collection phase, on the one hand, 

and their analysis/divulgation among the scientific community, local authorities and 

ever growing ranks of interested and passionate people, on the other hand. 

Economic and organizational reasons internal to SGL, the editor of TG, have 

somehow dictated our choices: the result is the magazine the readers have in their 

hands. 

Having done away with monographs, articles addressing methodologies, monitoring 

reports or other miscellanea in favour of a faster and more effective report of meteorological, 

snow and glaciers data this TG is all about the last hydrological year. 

While we definitely hope that this will foster a quicker evaluation of the events, we 

are aiming at further timing improvements in the near future. 

The English/Italian version has disappeared, but only apparently. Actually, rather 

than forgoing the export of its contents, Terra Glacialis is splitting up, with a parallel 

edition in the “Language of Science” available in digital format only: the advantages 

of this choice are evident in terms of ecologic and economic returns, improved timing 

and faster international distribution. 

More in detail, with the exception of the monitoring data, we still plan to maintain all 

the contents the reader was used to find, sometimes in a seemingly disorganized 

layout, within the previous Terra Glacialis. This new Terra Glacialis will have a different 

format, possibly a less rigid publication timing but a more organic and coherent 

content. 

In practice, a series of monographic issues will be dedicated to specific topics, in the 

wake of our 2008 publication “Ghiacciai montani e cambiamenti climatici nell’ultimo 

secolo” (Mountain glaciers and climate changes in the last century). Several subjects 

are being evaluated already. 

To prove our determination, three TG’s, including this one, have been published in 

the last nine months: a remarkable effort for our organization. Still, more issues and 

more innovations are being considered. 

Back to our TG, the 2007-08 hydrological year has left us, once more, with a regional 

glacialism in its worst condition ever, though showing some signs of a slow- 

- 4 -

down of the current regression trend. Unfortunately, to dissipate a possible misunderstanding, 

there are still no indications of a reversal of the negative trend that has 

characterized the last few years. 

We recommend this issue of TG to the hasty journalists, who, seeing some consistent 

snowfalls in the first months of 2009, have filled the web, newspapers and TV 

channels with sensational headlines about a supposed “climatic inversion”. 

We feel obliged to thank those journalists for having unintentionally demonstrated 

that, besides a number of other good reasons, a magazine like Terra Glacialis is still 

much needed. 

The editorial staff 

- 5 - 

Editorial

Andrea Toffaletti, Riccardo Scotti, Luca Colzani 

SNOW- 

METEOROLOGIC 

with the collaboration of 

REPORT 

2007-2008 HYDROLOGICAL YEAR 

LOMBARDY ALPS 

A. Amato, D. Bavera, A. Bera, C. Bessi, L. Bonardi, L. Bonetti, M. Butti, G. Catasta, G. Cola, 

D. Colombarolli, L. Farinella, M. Gianatti, G. M. Lucini, E. Meraldi, P. Pagliardi, D. Perego, F. Pozzoni, 

A. Praolini, A. Proh, F. Roveda, D. Sironi 

and of the Bormio Snow-Meteorological Centre (ARPA Lombardy)

snow-meteo report 

A summary of the events 

The 2007-2008 Hydrological Year in the Italian Central Alps can be summarized as follows: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Another negative autumn season for snow accumulations; 

A moist and snowy spring; 

A strong ablation in June, July and August; 

A cold and snowy September, marking the anticipated end of the ablation season. 

Accumulation season (1st October, 2007 – 30th June, 2008) 

The 2007-2008 accumulation season resulted, 

as it has often happened in the past few years, 

very unfavourable for the Lombardy glaciers. 

The abundant spring precipitations were 

not sufficient to grant a good supply to our 

glaciers: the many, large avalanches that 

followed April and May snowfalls have restocked 

only the few apparatuses fed by avalanches, 

while the same snow, characterized 

by a scanty resistance for lack of a proper 

compaction, did not help the other glaciers. 

Snow accumulations were very moderate in 

October, December and February; on the oth- 

Weather Station 

Precipitations in mm 

October, 2007 - June, 2008 

(Deviations from the mean 

value) 

- 8 - 

er side November snowfalls were scourged 

by strong northern currents that redistributed 

and eroded the snow on the ground. 

Though January was double-faced, the month 

can be judged positive for our glaciers. At 

first, moist Atlantic perturbations led to several 

episodes of abundant accumulations 

while in the second half of the month, good 

weather conditions and temperatures exceeding 

the average for the period had the positive 

effect of slowing down the constructive 

metamorphism process of the snow cover. 

March was also windy; as a conse- 

Tab. 1: Precipitation and temperature values during the 2007/2008 accumulation season. In order 

to allow a homogeneous comparison among the different stations, the mean value has been 

calculated for the period 1988/89 – 2005/06. “Integral” means that the average temperature has 

been calculated by adding each recorded value (data acquisition interval: 5’) and dividing the total 

by the number of readings. The other temperatures have been calculated with the “arithmetic” 

method: i.e. (average of daily maximum temperatures + average of daily minimum temperatures) / 2. 

Temperatures in °C 

October, 2007 - June, 2008 


value) 

Passo Venerocolo - 3230 m/s.l.m. - - 6,7° (integrale - 7,0°) * 

Bivacco Corti - 2509 m/s.l.m. - - 0,4° (integrale - 1,7°) 

Bivacco Resnati - 1950 m/s.l.m. - + 1,9° (integrale + 1,5°) 

Sils/Maria - 1798 m/s.l.m. 637,9 (- 30,7 mm ; - 4,6 %) + 0,1° (+ 0,3°) 

S.Antonio di Valfurva - 1360 m/s.l.m. 528,2 (+ 42 mm ; + 8,0 %) + 3,5° (+ 0,1°) 

Sondrio - 290 m/s.l.m. 589,9 (- 100,1 mm ; - 14,5 %) + 9,1° (- 0,4°) 

Andalo Valtellino - 220 m/s.l.m. 752,6 (- 81,5 mm ; - 9,8 %) + 10,1° 

Massimeno (TN) - 860 m/s.l.m. 834 (+ 70 mm ; + 10 %) + 6,4° 

*Average value for the period October 2007- May 2008 because of an instrument failure in June, 2008

quence, strong wind erosions depleted 

the snow cover of the most exposed apparatuses 

(Adamello and Scalino), where 

large patches of ice became visible. 

A new change of climatic conditions began at 

the end of March, when the northern regions 

were subject to strong Atlantic perturbations 

Tab. 2: Snow cover height (HN) at SGL snow stations 

Sector Snow Station 

HN (cm) 

and 

date 

- 9 - 

HN mean 

value (cm) and 

related time 

interval 

Spluga-Lei Suretta Sud (2800 m) 185 (22/06) 348 (1999-08)* L. Bonardi 

Orobie Lupo (2560 m) 463 (14/06) 400 (1996-08) 

Operator/s 

R. Scotti, D. Perego, D. Bavera, 

D. Sironi 

Disgrazia-Mallero Vazzeda (2920 m) 300 (14/06) 400 (1996-08)** M. Butti, A. Proh 

Livigno Campo Nord (3000 m) 155 (01/06) 205 (2000-08)* A. Bera, D. Colombarolli 

Ortles-Cevedale Sobretta (3170 m) 190 (10/06) 192 (1998-08) 

included in a very moist flux of south-westerly 

currents. Such conditions favoured heavy precipitations 

over the Alpine sectors of Lombardy. 

The tendency was further confirmed in the 

following month, the rainiest April of the last 

19 years in the Lombardy Alps, with precipitations 

twice as high as the average value. 

A. Praolini, E. Meraldiolini, 

E. Meraldi 

Ortles-Cevedale Dosegù (2980 m) 170 (04/06) 160 (1996-08)*** A. Praolini, E. Meraldi 

Adamello Pisgana Ovest (3150 m) 265 (08/06) 267 (2000-08)* P. Pagliardi, A. Toffaletti, F. Roveda 

* lacking 2002 data 

** lacking 1997 data 

*** lacking 2002 to 2006 data 

Fig. 1: The percentage 

deviation of the snow 

measured (HN) at each 

SGL snow station compared 

with the average 

for the 2003-2008 period. 

A lack of data has 

prevented the calculation 

of the mean value 

for a longer time interval. 

The figures show the 

percentage deviation 

from the mean value for 

each sample site. 3 sites 

in 1998 and 2002; 4 in 

1999, 2000 and 2001; 

6 in 2003 to 2008. The 

2008 accumulation season 

roughly matches the 

mean value of the last 6 

years; the 2001 anomalous 

value stands out.. 

snow-meteo report


Continuing a positive April, May was characterized 

by a precipitation surplus of 10-20%. 

Nevertheless, as the snow limits moved to a 

higher altitude than in the previous month, very 

good snow accumulation occurred only on the 

higher basins, while the sectors located below 

2800 m a.s.l. were washed out by heavy rains. 

Between the end of May and the beginning of 

June, the snow surveys conducted at the SGL 

sampling sites witnessed an accumulation 

matching the average of the last 10 years in 

the central-eastern sectors, while the western 

Fig. 2: Lombardy Snow chart at the end of the 2007/2008 accumulation season. 

sectors (i.e. Vazzeda and Suretta Sud Glaciers) 

reported below-average snow accumulation, 

though the situation was not as bad as 

in the previous season. Thanks to this final recovery, 

the accumulation season ended with 

about average precipitation and snow levels, 

though the distribution of the precipitations was 

concentrated in single, important events that 

mainly favoured the avalanche accumulations. 

- 10 -

Ablation season ( June 1 –September 30, 2008) 

The beginning of the 2008 summer was positive 

for the glaciers, with the first half of June 

relatively chilly and snowy above 3000 m, 

with isolated snow episodes even at 2200 m 

a.s.l.. Starting in the second half of June the 

tropical high, the so-called “camel”, set in and 

rose the temperature, seriously damaging the 

snow cover which started to melt down very 

rapidly. On the 26th of June the temperature 

reached 16,3 °C at the 2509 m a.s.l. of Bivacco 

Corti, the highest value for the season. 

The anticyclone produced temperatures exceeding 

the average value for the season (+ 

2,6 °C over the mean values for the period 

1961-1990 at Sils). Temperatures remained 

high also in July, despite a number of storms 

causing snowy precipitations above 3600 m 

a.s.l.. This phase ended with the flood event 

of the 11th -14th, when 138,6 mm of rain fell 

at Andalo (Lower Valtellina). The Lake Como 

overflowed again at Como after a few years 

and the Adda River exceeded the warning 

threshold for some days. Snow fell only 

above 3100-3300 m a.s.l., with 30-40 cm of 

accumulations. Thanks to a warm second 

half, July ended with temperatures exceed- 

- 11 - 

ing the mean value, though showing a lower 

deviation than the previous month of June (+ 

0,7 °C at Sils). July 2008 was the rainiest July 

since 1987, fortunately without inflicting the 

same damages to the Valtellina area. August, 

though perceived by most people as a chilly 

month, was probably the worst month for 

the glaciers of Lombardy. The rain fell even 

on the highest glaciers, washing away some 

of the residual snow cover and speeding up 

the ablation. Moist weather and cloud cover 

kept the minimum temperature above 0 °C for 

several days, preventing the melting and refreezing 

process so important for the survival 

of the snow cover on glacial apparatuses. 

Overall, the anomaly (+ 1,6 °C) was important 

enough to cause the almost complete melting 

of the residual snow covering the Lombardy 

glaciers. The few accumulations, mostly due 

to avalanches, suffered an additional blow in 

the first ten days of a hot and dry September. 

On the other hand, from the 13th of September 

onward, the month was characterized by 

a series of abundant snowfalls at relatively 

low altitudes for the season. These were responsible 

for the slowing down, or the final 

Tab. 3: Precipitation and temperature values during the 2007/2008 ablation season. In order to allow a homogeneous 

comparison among the different stations, the mean values refer to the period 1988/89 –2005/2006. “Integral” 

means that the average temperature is calculated by adding each recorded value (data acquisition interval: 

5’) and the total is divided by the number of readings. The other temperatures have been calculated with the 

“arithmetic” method: i.e. (average of daily maximum temperatures + average of daily minimum temperatures) / 2. 

Weather Station 

Precipitations in mm 

June - September, 2008 


values) 

Temperatures in °C 

June - September, 2008 


values) 

Bivacco Corti - 2509 m/s.l.m. - + 6,8° (integral + 6,8°) 

Sils/Maria - 1798 m/s.l.m. 572,7 (+ 129,2 mm ; + 29,1 %) + 10,1° (+ 0,2°) 

S.Antonio di Valfurva - 1360 m/s.l.m. 473,2 (+ 99,8 mm ; + 21,0 %) + 13,4° (+ 0,1°) 

Sondrio - 290 m/s.l.m. 498,9 (+ 100,6 mm ; + 26,3 %) + 20,8° (- 1,0°) 

Andalo Valtellino - 220 m/s.l.m. 666,1 (+ 151,5 mm ; + 29,4 %) + 20,4° 

Massimeno (TN) - 860 m/s.l.m. 421,9 (+ 37,0 mm ; + 9,6 %) + 16,7° (- 0,3°) 

snow-meteo report


stop, of all melting processes, thus ending 

the ablation season at most glacial areas of 

Lombardy. At the end of September the snow 

cover at 2500-2700 m a.s.l., varied from 15 

to 60 cm, with the highest values in the western 

part of the Region. September was the 

only month of the ablation season recording 

a lower-than-average temperature value (-0, 

8 °C). Overall, the four months between June 

- 12 - 

and September 2008 were rainy (+20 to 30% 

above the average) and hot (+1,0 °C over the 

average value for 1961-1990 and +0,2 °C 

over the average value 1988-2006 at the Sils 

station). Considering only the period June - 

August, the summer of 2008 was the fourth 

warmest since 1864. 

Fig. 3: Bivacco Corti weather station (2509 m a.s.l.): daily temperature values for the 2008 ablation season

Sils/Maria historical weather data (1864-2008) 

Tab. 4: Sils/Maria weather station (1798 m a.s.l.): The comparisons use the long period (1864-2007) average 

and the WMO reference average (1961-1990). Data: MeteoSchweiz. 

Month Precipitations in mm Temperatures 

mm 

Deviation from 

the 1864-2007 

average 

Deviation from 

the 1961-1990 

average 

- 13 - 

°C 

Deviation 

from the 

1864-2007 

average 

Deviation 

from the 

1961-1990 

average 

October 2007 35,2 - 61,4 - 0,8 σ - 46,7 - 0,6 σ + 3,9 + 0,8 + 0,6 σ + 0,3 + 0,2 σ 

November 2007 84,8 + 2,1 + 0,0 σ - 0,3 - 0,0 σ - 1,9 + 0,1 + 0,0 σ - 0,1 - 0,1 σ 

December 2007 22,1 - 34,7 - 0,8 σ - 26,4 - 0,8 σ - 5,2 + 0,6 + 0,3 σ + 0,1 + 0,1 σ 

January 2008 67,0 + 19,6 + 0,5 σ + 16,9 + 0,5 σ - 5,1 + 2,3 + 1,2 σ + 2,1 + 1,1 σ 

February 2008 14,5 - 27,4 - 0,7 σ - 27,8 - 0,7 σ - 4,2 + 2,5 + 1,2 σ + 2,4 + 1,0 σ 

March 2008 49,9 - 11,6 - 0,2 σ - 10,4 - 0,2 σ - 2,5 + 1,5 + 0,8 σ + 1,5 + 0,8 σ 

April 2008 148,1 + 75,7 + 1,6 σ + 69,4 + 1,2 σ + 0,1 + 0,3 + 0,2 σ + 0,3 + 0,2 σ 

May 2008 118,5 + 28,0 + 0,6 σ + 14,0 + 0,2 σ + 6,0 + 1,4 + 1,0 σ + 1,7 + 1,4 σ 

June 2008 97,8 - 2,3 - 0,1 σ - 6,8 - 0,1 σ + 10,5 + 2,1 + 1,7 σ + 2,5 + 2,6 σ 

July 2008 226,8 + 114,6 + 2,7 σ + 118,0 + 2,2 σ + 11,1 + 0,6 + 0,5 σ + 0,7 + 0,6 σ 

August 2008 110,7 - 9,1 - 0,2 σ - 10,5 - 0,2 σ + 11,7 + 1,4 + 1,2 σ + 1,6 + 1,5 σ 

September 2008 137,4 + 38,6 + 0,6 σ + 44,7 + 0,6 σ + 6,9 - 0,7 - 0,5 σ - 0,8 - 0,5 σ 

October - June 637,9 - 13,3 - 0,1 σ - 24,7 - 0,2 σ + 0,1 + 1,3 + 1,7 σ + 1,2 +1,9 σ 

June - 

September 

572,7 + 141,8 + 1,3 σ + 145,3 + 1,2 σ + 10,1 + 0,9 + 1,2 σ + 1,0 + 1,4 σ 

Fig. 4: Sils station: total precipitations for the October-June accumulation season is close to the hundred-year 

average value. The overall trend points to a very slight increase. 

snow-meteo report


Fig. 5: Sils station: temperature values for the June-September ablation season. Remarkable is the sudden 

and intense increase of the last 25 years, which followed the slight drop of the ‘60s and ‘70s. The 2008 ablation 

season was 0,9 °C hotter than the long period average value. 

References 

BEGERT M., SCHLEGEL T., KIRCHHOFER W. (2005) - Homogeneous Temperature and Precipitation 

Series of Switzerland from 1864 to 2000. International Journal of Climatology 25: 65-80 

- 14 -

Unusual April snowfalls 

If it were not for April and May 2008, we would be reporting the worst situation ever for 

the Lombardy glacialism. The meteorological pattern of April was characterized by Atlantic 

stream, for the first time in this period of the year since 1998 (before that we have to 

go back to 1989). Almost continuous south-westerly stream brought five precipitation episodes, 

with snow limits always below the 2000 m a.s.l. level and sometimes close to the 

1000 m mark: a much needed help for the glaciers that until the end of March were showing 

an insufficient snow cover. 

The first days of April were characterized by sunny days and, once again, by föhn wind 

blowing intensely on the 2nd and 3rd April. Then, starting from the 6th of April, the turnaround: 

a weak perturbation moved in over Lombardy, dropping 30-40 cm of snow above 

1500 m a.s.l., accompanied by the first thunderstorm of the season in Lower Valtellina. 

Beginning with the 9th, a period of perturbations set in and in about 10 days the mountain 

scenery changed. On the 11th the snow fell until 1000 m; a significant accumulation that, 

added to those of the previous days, reached 150 cm in the Orobic Alps and Valle Spluga 

Sectors and 100 cm in the other areas. In the following days the level of instability remained 

high and several storms contributed to further increase the snow cover. On the 14th another 

Atlantic perturbation discharged 48 mm of rain at Gerola Alta (Orobic Alps), a level 

that, at higher altitudes, is equivalent to almost 50 cm of snow. Other sectors showed more 

scanty accumulations (about 20-30 cm). In the following days other weak perturbations 

added an additional 20-30 cm over all the sectors. After the short break of the 16th, during 

the days from the 17th to the 21st another Atlantic perturbation dropped 80-90 cm above 

2000 m a.s.l. in the Orobic Sector and 50 cm elsewhere. In the following days, from the 

22nd to the 28th, a high pressure set in, producing more stable conditions accompanied by 

temperature values matching the average for the period. The consolidation process of the 

snow cover benefitted from several freeze–thaw cycles, particularly on the southern slopes 

below 3000 m a.s.l.. 

April played its last chances between the 29th and the 30th, ending on the 1st May with rain 

and thunderstorms and a snow limit around 1800-2000 m a.s.l.. These events dropped an 

additional 20-30 cm of snow, especially on the Rhaetian Alps (30 cm at the Maloja Pass). 

April can be ranked among the best months for precipitation. Overall accumulations were 

twice the average value for the month: 187,5 mm (+67%) at Andalo Valtellino (Orobic Sector); 

215 mm (+105%) at Massimeno (Adamello Sector); 148,1 mm (+103%) at Sils/Maria 

(Rhaetia); 106,9 mm (+106%) at S. Antonio Valfurva. A further proof that April was an exceptional 

month: the combined snowfalls at Nevaio del Colombano (Monte Legnone - Orobic 

Alps) were estimated at 308 cm. This is the best result of the last 5 years, the previous 

record being 217 cm (November 2003). 

- 15 - 

snow-meteo report


The meteorological year viewed through the pictures 

The southern side of Mt. Bernina, taken 

on October 13 from Pizzo Canciano. 

Below 3500 m a.s.l. the snow fallen at 

the end of September has disappeared 

completely (October13, 2007; photo by 

V. Sciaresa). 

A picture that best represents the cold and dry December 2007: the Lej da Segl (Sils-Engadina 

valley), is completely frozen and devoid of snow on the surface. (December 29, 2007; photo by 

R. Scotti) 

- 16 - 

December 1, 2007: 

the Predarossa Glacier 

showing several 

areas of bare ice. 

Wind erosion reduced 

the 100 cm 

of snow at the end 

of November to a 

few, poorly distributed 

cm (Photo by 

R. Scotti).

The Alps around 

Lake Como show 

a consistent snow 

cover, after the 

snowfalls of the beginning 

of January 

(January 13, 2008; 

photo by A. Toffaletti). 

- 17 - 

The Cima de’ 

Piazzi (3440 m) 

with the Val Lia 

and Cardonnè 

Glaciers. The 

snow fallen at 

the beginning 

of January was 

eroded by strong 

winds, leaving 

the glaciers uncovered 

in many 

spots (February 

6, 2008; photo by 

M. Leoni). 

The Pizzo Scalino Glacier (March 29, 2008). The snow cover is rather scarce, reflecting 

a poor accumulation season. The picture shows the lack of autumnal precipitation 

and the strong erosion of the locations exposed to northern winds. (Photo by V. 

Sciaresa) 

snow-meteo report


Consistent avalancheaccumulations 

cover the 

bottom of Val 

Sissone (May 

10, 2008; photo 

by M. E. Peroschi). 

- 18 - 

The Punta San Matteo and the 

Forni Basin, taken from Val Cedec 

on the April 20 morning, after 

the abundant snowfalls of the 

first part of the month (Photo by 

G. Cola) 

The Adamello 

Group, taken from 

Cima della Presanella 

on June 1, 

2008. In the foreground 

the Lobbia 

Glacier, with the 

Mandrone Glacier 

and Mt. Adamello 

on the right. Below 

2800 m a.s.l., snow 

levels loaded with 

Saharan dust are 

exposed (photo by 

F. Rota Nodari).

The West Pisgana Glacier on June 29, 

2008. The picture shows the detachment 

near the rocky ledge that now separates 

the valley terminus from the accumulation 

basins. The avalanche front is over 

300 m long, with a thickness of 120 cm 

(photo by P. Pagliardi). 

Summer ablation on the Forni Glacier. 

(August 6, 2008; photo by R. Scotti). 

- 19 - 

snow-meteo report


- 20 -

The 2008 

Glaciological Survey 

Central Alps - Lombardy 

S cientific coordination, tex t and data processing: 

Riccardo Scotti, Andrea Toffaletti, Luca Bonardi, 

Paolo Pagliardi

2008 glaciological 

Survey 

Mountain sectors and operators (76) 

SPLUGA-LEI 

L. Colzani, E. Congiu, M. D’Amico, M. Felisa, S. Losa, B. Mezzera, F. Rossini, C. Scolari, 

R. Scotti, F. Villa 

CODERA-MASINO 

L. Colzani, G. Di Gallo, M. Marzorati, R. Scotti, A. Barilli 

DISGRAZIA-MALLERO 

D. Airoldi, A. Almasio, I. Bollati, F. Cambieri, M. Fransci, G. Di Gallo, L. Muchetti, P. Pagliardi, 

M. E. Peroschi, G. Rovedatti, R. Scotti, M. Urso 

BERNINA 

D. Bellingeri, M. Butti, L Colzani, A. Galluccio, D. Gerussi, M. Gianatti, P. Pagliardi, A. Salvetti, 

R. Scotti, M. Zambenedetti 

SCALINO-PAINALE 

M. Butti, E. Benedetti, M .Gianatti 

DOSDE’-LIVIGNO 

S. Alberti, A. Bera, G. Cola, D. Colombarolli, L. Colzani, D. De Felice, A. Galluccio, 

F. Galluccio, M. Gianatti, P. Pagliardi, D. Parrino, S. Ratti, M. Marzorati, R. Scotti, 

C. Speranza 

ORTLES-CEVEDALE 

C. Bessi, L. Bolognini, L. Bonetti, A. Borghi, P. Bottio, R. Bottio, G. Casartelli, G. Catasta, 

G. Cola, D. Colombarolli, L. Colzani, L. Farinella, M. Fioletti, A. Galluccio, Ac Galluccio, 

M. Gianatti, E. Meraldi, P. Pagliardi, A. Scaltriti, C. Scolari, R. Scotti; F. Strozzi, 

M. Zambenedetti 

ADAMELLO 

C. Bessi, P. Cinanni, M. Frosio, A. Elli, L. Imberti, G. Lojacono, A. Mussi, V. Paneri, 

P. Pagliardi, D. Perego, P. Reale, F. Roveda, R. Scotti, A. Toffaletti, M. Zambenedetti 

OROBIE 

S. Anghileri, E. Benedetti, R. Bianchi, M. Butti, S. D’Adda, D. Gerussi, M. Gianatti, 

M .Fransci, F. Locatelli, F. Mocci, D. Perego, L. Pironi, G. Rovedatti, A. Scherini, V. Sciaresa, 

R. Scotti, A. Sesini, S. Vigani, F. Villa 

- 22 -

The 2008 Glaciological survey 1 

“How did the glaciers fare during the last sum- a slight decrease. Despite the very negative 

mer?” This is the most frequent question that scenario, this is a slight improvement over the 

mountain lovers, friends and curious people previous year, when all glaciers had strong to 

have been asking us since last September. moderate decrements. Curiously, the sectors 

Such direct and concise question is worth a whose snow cover was better than their his- 

similarly short and clear answer: “Badly”. Then torical average value in the early summer days 

the astonished speaker: “But why? A bad sum- were the ones to suffer the worst decrements. 

mer again? With all the snow that fell down ... What are the explanations 

and the bad weather we have had …” At this for such a negative season? 

point, it is worth to analyse in depth a season The answer has implicitly been outlined in 

that, despite the very negative result, has the snow-meteorological report already. 

shown some shy signals of a recovery if com- Despite an amount of precipitation in line 

pared to the glaciological disasters of the past with the average value for the season, 

few years. The differences among the various thanks mainly to the April-May period, the 

mountain sectors of Lombardy, almost zeroed snow did not last until the end of the sea- 

during the last years because of very negative son; such result is a consequence of the 

dynamic indexes everywhere, this year have high temperature of the summer months. 

become visible again. So, it is clear that the The thickness reduction of the glacier’s fronts 

western sectors have fared better than the was comparable to that of previous years; the 

eastern ones: the Spluga/Lej, Codera/Masino, frequent May precipitations probably led to a net 

Disgrazia, Orobic Alps, though undergoing a differentiation between the upper basins, well 

negative season, have ended with some re- fed by snowfalls, and their rain-washed termini. 

sidual snow coverage over all apparatuses. By the end of July, the residual snow had 

Photographic observations and field surveys disappeared almost everywhere under 3200 

proved that some small glaciers had an almost m a.s.l., letting the hot August and early 

positive season: the best examples are: Mor- September days to melt down the exposed 

tee, Calvo, Rasica Est, Cassandra Centrale, ice and, where present, most of the residual 

Dente di Coca and Pizzo dell’Omo Ovest. Un- snow. Locally, the snow cover lasted till the 

fortunately all are very small apparatuses; their end of the season above 3300 m a.s.l. and on 

combined size being only 2% that of the Ad- some glaciers with avalanche accumulation. 

amello Glacier which, on the other side, had a The SGL Glaciological Survey, though delayed 

heavily negative season. For the same reason, by the abundant snowfall of mid-September, 

all glaciers belonging to the SGL sample list has nevertheless produced meaningful data, 

showed a negative trend versus the 2007 situ- having investigated 95,4% of the glacialized 

ation. The 47 glaciers of the sample were cho- surface of the Region. The most important 

sen for their size and for being representative results are the largely negative mass bal- 

of their own sectors. 23,4% of them showed a ances and the investigation of morphologies 

dynamic index pointing to a strong decrease, peculiar to a phase of glacial dissolution: the 

59,4% to a moderate decrease and 19,2% to deep bédières (Campo Nord), the ever wider 

1 For the survey methodology see www.sgl.cluster.it 

- 23 - 


Survey


Survey 

moraine cover, the frequent dismemberments 

induced by the loss of mass (Passo 

di Chiareggio, Venerocolo, Porola), the formation 

and widening of proglacial lakes (particularly 

important is the widening of the Est 

Fellaria proglacial lake) and the lessening of 

break-up morphologies (crevasses, seracs). 

Hence, briefly, the negative trend for our 

The data of the 2008 Survey 

Year 

Total regional area covered 

by glaciers (ha) 

- 24 - 

glaciers continued in 2008 as well, though 

we could say something like “better than 

worse”. Coming from years that were anticipating 

the glaciological and climatic scenarios 

predicted for the end of XXI century, 

this might be of some satisfaction. 

During the 2008 Glaciological Survey, 96 glaciers were subjected to a complete glaciological 

survey 1 (36,5% of existing glaciers); their combined area was 9061,4 ha or 83,6% of Lombardy 

glacialized surface. Adding the photographic observations2 (103) the number of glacial apparatuses, 

inclusive of both glaciers and glacierettes, increases to 199 (75,7 % of all glacial bodies 

or 95,4 % of the entire regional glacial area). 

Tab. 1: total glacialized regional surface investigated during the 2008 Glaciological Survey and comparisons 

with the previous biennium (absolute values in ha and %) (* without photographic observations). 

Total area investigated 

(ha) 

Total area surveyed (%) 

2006 11.004,7 8.690,0 79* 

2007 10.967,7 10.242,8 93,3 

2008 10.838,6 10.344,1 95,4 

1 Complete glaciological survey means that a detailed on-site investigation was performed by the designated 

operators; where possible, their evaluation included: snow line altitude, minimum altitude of the front, front 

measurements. Operators also remarked the morphologies variations versus the previous survey. 

2 Photographic observation means that a glacier is investigated through one or more photos taken from 

selected photographic stations to allow meaningful comparisons over the years. Such observations do not 

provide dynamic indexes.

Tab. 2: Summary of 2008 surveys and photographic observations (sectors and total). 

Spluga Glaciers (n°) 

(% of total 

number) 

Area (ha) (% of total area) 

Complete surveys 8 61,5 215,5 81,8 

Photographic observations 3 23,1 33,6 12,7 

Survey + Photo observations 11 84,6 249,1 94,5 

Total existing glaciers 

Codera-Masino 

13 263,6 





Disgrazia-Mallero 

26 227,8 





Bernina 

28 955,7 





Scalino-Painale 

13 2230,2 





Dosdè-Piazzi 

8 226,4 





Livigno 

20 429,8 





Ortles 

11 146,0 





Adamello 

55 3576 





Orobie 

39 2527,1 




Total existing glaciers 50 256 

Glaciers (n°) 

(% of total 

number) 

Area (ha) (% of total area) 

Complete surveys 96 36,5 % 9.061,4 83,6 % 

Photographic observations 103 39,2 % 1.282,7 11,8 % 

Survey + Photo observations 199 75,7 % 10.344,1 95,4 % 

Total existing glaciers (2007) 263 - 10.838,6 - 

- 25 - 


Survey


Survey 

ANALYSIS OF VARIATIONS 

This chapter presents data and information collected during the 2008 surveys. The dynamic 

phase of each glacier is evaluated on the basis of the last available survey. 

Variations versus 2007 

All 47 glaciers, when compared with their 2007 data, are in a shrinking phase, with a net prevalence 

(80,8%) of strong and moderate decrements. The tendency of the last years is confirmed 

and 2008 is the 4th consecutive year in which 100% of sampled glaciers were reported in a 

decrement phase when compared against their previous survey. 

The statistical analysis highlights the negative peak of the Ortles–Cevedale Sector, with 4 strong 

decrements and 7 moderate decrements. 

Tab. 3: 2008 dynamic phases of Lombardy glaciers. 

Mountain sector 

extinct 

Decrement phase 

strong 

moderate 

slight 

- 26 - 

Stable 

Increment phase 

Spluga-Lei 0 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 

Codera-Masino 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 

Disgrazia-Mallero 0 0 5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 8 

Bernina 0 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 

Scalino-Painale 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Dosdè-Piazzi 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 

Livigno 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 

Ortles-Cevedale 0 4 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 

Adamello 0 2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 

Orobie 0 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 

Total 0 11 27 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 47 

% 0% 23,4% 57,4% 19,2% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100% 

Totali 47 0 0 0 0 47 

% 100% 0% 0% 0% 0% 100% 

Tab. 4: The overall dynamic phase of Lombardy glaciers over the last 7 hydrological years. 

Hydrological year 

% Decreasing 

glaciers 

% Stable glaciers 

slight 

moderate 

strong 

% Increasing 

glaciers 

New 

Uncertain 

Total 

% Uncertain 

glaciers 

2001-2002 90,4 6,7 1,0 1,9 

2002-2003 100,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 

2003-2004 73,6 8,0 17,3 1,1 

2004-2005 100,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 

2005-2006 100,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 

2006-2007 100,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 

2007-2008 100,0 0,0 0,0 0,0

Fig. 1: The dynamic index of glaciers surveyed during the 2008 glaciological survey, as % over the total 

number (each column shows the total number of glaciers in that class). 

Fig. 2: The Vedretta del Mandrone on September 20, 2008, when the the reading of the ablation stakes at the 

snout of the glacier took place. The glacier was covered by 10 cm of fresh snow fallen a few days earlier that 

had ended the 2008 ablation season (photo by A. Toffaletti). 

- 27 - 


Survey


Survey 

Tab. 5: the list of glaciers surveyed in 2008 and the comparison with their previous surveys. Also indicated 

are: the front variation, the minimum altitude of the front (QMF), the snow line altitude, a brief note and the 

glaciological operators involved. 

Note: for the details of dynamic phases, see tab. 10 at the end of the chapter. 

Glacier 

Dynamic 

Phase 

Terminus 

variation 

Minimum 

altitude (m) 

Snow Line 

Altitude 

Settore Spluga/Lei 

- 28 - 

Notes (Operators) 

Pizzo Ferrè DF -0,5 2698 irr. 

20% of total surface covered by residual snow; further thinning. (E. Congiu, 

S. Losa) 

Suretta S DL -22,5 2700 n.v. 

Mass balance measured with differential GPS, scarce residual snow cover 

(F. Villa, R. Scotti) 

Ponciagna DM n.v. thickness loss; residual snow cover almost absent (L. Colzani) 

Cima di Lago W DL N.M. n.v. recent snow cover, snow line not assessable, front shrinkage (L. Colzani) 

Codera/Masino 

Sivigia NE DM 2530 2850 

residual snow covering 15% of the surface, lower sector in a dismemberment 

phase (A. Barilli, L. Colzani) 

Passo di Bondo DL 3070 

snow cover only at the base of the rocky cliffs, moderate loss of thickness 

(M. Marzorati) 

Pioda S DM -16,5 2810 n.v. 

the link to the patch below 3064 m a.s.l. (CTR) has dissolved; snow cover 

hard to evaluate (G. Di Gallo) 

Disgrazia/Mallero 

residual snow cover under Sella di Pioda and at the base of the cliffs, the 

Predarossa DM -5 2625 3300 separation of upper and lower sectors is progressing (M. Urso, I. Bollati, 

D. Airoldi) 

Cassandra E DL -11,5 2915 3180 

good residual snow cover, strong thinning at the front. (R. Scotti, M. Fransci) 

Ventina DM -6,5 2222 2950 

irregular snow cover, though more consistent than in previous years; overall 

thinning of the tongue (M. E. Peroschi, F. Cambieri) 

Pizzo Ventina DL 2470 2650 

avalanche accumulations over the 40% of the surface (M. E. Peroschi, F. 

Cambieri, M. Urso, A, Almasio) 

Disgrazia DM -2 2610 2900 

more extensive snow cover in comparison with previous years, though 

insufficient to achieve an equilibrium balance (P. Pagliardi) 

Sissone DM -58 2600 2950 

strong withdrawal of the front and substantial morphologic variations in the 

lower part; snow cover over 40% of the surface (A. Almasio) 

Vazzeda DM N.M. 3000 

residual snow cover scarcer than nearby glaciers (A. Almasio, R. Scotti, 

M. Urso, I. Bollati, D. Airoldi) 

Pizzo Tremogge DL N.M. 3010 n.v. no substantial changes; slight thinning. (M. Urso, I. Bollati, D. Airoldi) 

Bernina 

Scerscen Inf. DM -5 2640 n.v. overall thinning of the lower portion (A. Salvetti, D. Bellingeri, L. Colzani) 

Scerscen Sup. DM 2750 3170 

thinning tongue; 155 cm of ice lost at 3100 m (A. Galluccio, M. Zambenedetti, 

P. Pagliardi, L. Colzani) 

Caspoggio DF N.M. n.v. dramatic mass loss, negligible snow cover (L. Colzani) 

Fellaria W DM 3400 right flow detached; scanty snow cover. (M. Butti, P. Pagliardi) 

Fellaria E DL N.M. 3450 

fairly good residual snow cover towards the Fellaria Plateau, evolution of 

the tongue with a remarkable widening of the proglacial lake (M. Butti, P. 

Pagliardi, D. Gerussi) 

Scalino/Painale 

Pizzo Scalino DF -10 2620 ass. negligible snow cover; dramatic, overall thinning. (M. Butti) 

Dosde'/Piazzi 

Cardonnè DF 2530 3100 irregular snow cover, northern wall decaying (A. Galluccio, G. Cola)


Dynamic 

Phase 

Terminus 

variation 

Minimum 

altitude (m) 

Snow Line 

Altitude 

- 29 - 


Dosdè E DM -20 2560 3000 

irregular residual snow cover, strong withdrawal, loss of mass (F. Galluccio, 

S. Ratti) 

Val Viola W DM -13 2825 irr 

small fields of residual snow, substantial decrement (S. Ratti, F. Galluccio) 

Livigno 

Val Nera W DM n.v. scarce snow cover since the beginning of August (S. Alberti, R. Scotti) 

Campo N DF -18 2840 3100 

new weather station installed, 220 cm of ice lost at 2985 m a.s.l.(D. Colombarolli, 

A. Bera) 

Saliente DM irr. 

residual snow cover at the base of the cliffs over the about 30% of the 

surface; fully covered by debris (S. Ratti) 

Ortles/Cevedale 

Vitelli DM -17 2600 3160 

residual snow cover on the accumulation basin; front area in a dismemberment 

phase. (A. Scaltriti, A. Galluccio) 

Zebrù DM n.v. areal shrinkage (A.C. Galluccio) 

Zebrù E DM -13,5 2843 n.v. loss of mass in the left frontal area. (A. Galluccio) 

Forà DF -26 2760 n.v. 

detachment of an ice lens with morainic cover in the snout area; strong 

retreat (L. Colzani) 

Gran Zebrù DF -11 2990 ass. 

no residual snow, thinning front, dramatic shrinkage. (D. Colombarolli, M. 

Fioletti) 

Cedec DM -9 n.v. 

indented front, very significant mass loss at the snout (D. Colombarolli, 

M. Fioletti) 

Palon de la Mare DM -13 3012 3400 

residual snow cover over the 20% of the surface, clear shrinking of the 

snout. (L. Farinella, C. Bessi) 

Forni DF -13 2510 3500 very scarce snow cover, as in 2007; dramatic overall mass loss (G. Cola) 

Dosegù DM -38,5 2850 3300 

strong retreat at the snout, good snow cover over the accumulation basin 

(A. Borghi, L. Bolognini) 

Sforzellina DM -3,5 2800 ass. some moderate avalanche accumulations, overall mass loss (R. Bottio) 

Alpe S DF N.M. ass. 

no snow cover, evident overall loss of mass (L. Bonetti, P. Pagliardi, G. 

Cola) 

Adamello 

Pisgana W DF -24 2565 ass. overall loss of mass, weak link with the accumulation basin (F. Roveda) 

Venerocolo DM -12 2570 3150 

Avio Centrale DM 2900 

Aviolo DM 2730 irr 

Adamello DF 3300 

Marovin DL -6 2060 2200 

Lupo DL 0 2440 2620 

Porola DM 2540 n.v. 

Trobio W 

(Tre Confini) 

DM irr 

Abbreviations: N.M.: Not measured; n.v.: Not evaluated; ass: Absent; irr.: Irregular 

very scarce snow cover (15% of the surface area); now separated from 

the Vedretta dei Frati (A. Toffaletti) 

snow cover, from avalanches only, over 30% of the surface area; moderate 

withdrawal (C. Bessi, G. Catania) 

thinning of the central portion, snow in the upper sectors and right hydrographical 

side (P. Pagliardi) 

scarce snow cover, significant mass loss below 3200 m (P. Pagliardi, D. 

Perego, A. Toffaletti, A. Elli) 

Orobie 

residual snow cover over the 50% of the surface, slightly negative mass 

balance (M. Butti) 

residual snow cover over 40% of the surface, snout unchanged, slightly 

negative mass balance (R. Scotti, F. Villa, S. D’Adda, F. Mocci, A. Mussi, 

L. Imberi, P. Cinanni) 

the lower sector has split from the accumulation basin in the steepest 

central portion (M. Merati) 

very scarce snow cover. Ice withdrawal at the front and near the rocky cliff, 

negative mass balance (S. D’Adda, F. Mocci) 


Survey


Survey 

Variations versus previous surveys (before 2007) 

Fig. 3: The small Vedretta di Remulo (Adamello Massif), despite its low altitude, does not show many variations 

versus the previous survey (2003). The protection offered by the rocky wall and the avalanche accumulations 

has kept this glacial apparatus substantially stable. (September 18, 2008; photo by V. Paneri). 

Tab. 6: The dynamic index of glaciers surveyed in 2008 which had their previous survey before 2007 

(totals: number of glaciers in each class and their % over the total). 

Mountain sector 

extinct 

Decrement phase 

strong 

moderate 

slight 

- 30 - 

Stable 

Increment phase 

Spluga- Lei 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 

Codera-Masino 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 

Disgrazia-Mallero 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 

Bernina 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 

Scalino-Painale 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

Dosdè-Piazzi 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 

Livigno 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3 

Ortles-Cevedale 3 6 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 

Adamello 4 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 7 

Orobie 1 3 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 10 

Totali 11 17 11 3 3 0 0 0 0 4 49 

% 22,4% 34,7% 22,4% 6,1% 6,1% 0% 0% 0% 0% 6,2% 100% 

Totali 42 0 0 0 4 49 

% 63,3% 0% 0% 0% 6,2% 100% 

slight 

moderate 

strong 

New 

Uncertain 

Total

The 46 glaciers considered in this section were 

not surveyed in 2007; comparisons are only 

possible with 2006 data or earlier, up to 1996 

(Passo Savoretta Glacier). The predominant 

dynamic phase is one of “decrement” (63,3%) 

while 22,4% of all surveyed glaciers were found 

Fig. 6: The dynamic index of the glaciers surveyed in 2008 which had their previous survey before 2007. 

- 31 - 

extinct. The number of extinctions collected in 

2008 confirms the trend of the previous glaciological 

surveys: altogether, 46 glaciers have 

disappeared between 2005 and 2008. 

Figg. 4 and 5: (left) the Verva Maggiore Glacier (Dosdè-Piazzi Sector) in 2008 (photo by D. Parrino) and (right, 

photo by V. Bianchi) in 2003, date of the previous survey. The glacial retreat is quite evident; the terminus has 

moved upvalley more than 300 m in 5 years. 


Survey


Survey 

Tab. 7: List of the glaciers surveyed in 2008 and comparison with their previous surveys (prior to 2007). Also 

indicated are: the front variation, the minimum altitude of the front (QMF), the snow line altitude, the date of the 

previous survey, a brief note and the glaciological operators involved. Note: for the details of dynamic phases, 

see tab. 10 at the end of the chapter. 


Dynamic 

Phase 

Terminus 

variation 

Minimum 

altitude (m) 

Snow Line 

Altitude 

Last survey 

Settore Spluga/Lei 

- 32 - 


Pizzo Quadro N DM N.M irr. 2005 

some residual snow from avalanches, loss of mass, abundant 

debris coverage (F. Rossini, C. Scolari, E. Congiu) 

Tambò DM irr. 2002 20% residual snow cover (R. Scotti, E. Congiu) 

Orsareigls DF irr. 2002 

wide, but irregular, seasonal snow cover, dramatic loss of 

mass (E. Congiu) 

Morteè DF irr. 2001 

good residual seasonal snow cover, dramatic overall loss of 

mass (E. Congiu) 

Codera/Masino 

Pizzo Torrone I n.v. 2005 

snow frustrate a precise evaluation, very slight surface variation 

(A. Barilli, R. Scotti) 

Disgrazia/Mallero 

Corni Bruciati I DM 2620 n.v. 1998 

unchanged area; loss of mass, thickening debris coverage 

(M. Urso, I. Bollati, D. Airoldi) 

Corni Bruciati II DM 2660 n.v. 1998 unchanged area, loss of mass (M. Urso, I. Bollati, D. Airoldi) 

Passo di Chiareggio DF -580 2750 2850 2005 

residual snow cover in the upper portion, the debris covered 

tongue has detached from the rest of the glacier (A. Almasio) 

Bernina 

Fellaria Centrale DF 2950 1999 

full morainic cover, drastic loss of mass, avalanches accumulation 

(M. Butti) 

Fellaria Sup. I DF 2950 2000 

drastic loss of mass, fairly good seasonal snow cover (M. 

Butti, D. Gerussi) 

Fellaria Sup. Ii DF n.v. 2000 

drastic loss of mass, fairly good seasonal snow cover (M. 

Butti, D. Gerussi) 

Scalino/Painale 

Pizzo Painale SW DF 2830 n.v. 2001 

70% snow cover, dramatic overall loss of mass (E. Benedetti) 

Dosdè/Piazzi 

Verva Minore E 2002 

reclassified as “minor glacial formation” (D. De Felice, C. 

Speranza, D. Parrino) 

Verva Maggiore DF -331 2775 ass. 2003 

major terminus retreat, drastic mass and surface loss (D. De 

Felice, C. Speranza, D. Parrino) 

Cantone di Dosdè II E 1998 

reclassified as “minor glacial formation” (S. Ratti, F. Galluccio) 

Dosde' W Inf. E 1999 

reclassified as “minor glacial formation” (S. Ratti, F. Galluccio) 

Livigno 

Val Nera E I n.v. 2002 

full morainic cover, some patches of residual snow (early observation) 

(R. Scotti) 

Val Nera Centrale I n.v. 2002 fully covered by debris (S. Alberti, R. Scotti) 

Monte Val Nera I n.v. 2002 good snow cover (August 3) (S. Alberti, R. Scotti) 

Ortles/Cevedale 

Campo DM n.v. 2002 

snow cover on the orographic left side, loss of mass versus 

the last survey (G. Cola, R. Scotti) 

Confinale W DF ass. 2000 

no snow cover, wide morainic cover, drastic decrement from 

the last survey (D. Colombarolli)


Dynamic 

Phase 

Terminus 

variation 

Minimum 

altitude (m) 

Snow Line 

Altitude 

Last survey 

Col de la Mare DM ass. 2003 

San Giacomo S DF ass. 2000 

Pizzo Tresero N DM ass. 2002 

Punta Sforzellina W E 2002 

- 33 - 


no residual snow cover, 2 huge landslides cover 30% of its 

surface (G. Cola) 

almost fully covered by debris, no snow cover, loss of mass 

since the previous survey (G. Cola) 

several debris flows over the ice, almost without snow cover 

since the beginning of August (A.C. Galluccio) 

negligible, residual ice mass at the edge of the proglacial lake 

(P. Pagliardi) 

Sobretta NE Sup. DF irr. 2002 patch of ice with some residual snow (G. Cola, R. Scotti) 

Sobretta NE Inf. E ass. 2002 

full debris cover, reclassified as “minor glacial formation” (G. 

Cola, R. Scotti) 

Sobretta NW DF 3220 2002 

separation of the upper right plate, strong retreat (D. Colombarolli) 

Profa DF n.v. 1998 

separation of the left plate, strong shrinkage (D. Colombarolli) 

Monte Gavia NW DL 2980 2980 2000 

full snow cover, positive annual balance, slight mass loss from 

the last survey (D. Colombarolli) 

Passo Savoretta E ass. 1996 

small ice patch covered by debris, reclassified as “minor glacial 

formation” (D. Colombarolli) 

Pietre Rosse N DF ass. 2002 no snow cover, strong shrinkage (P. Pagliardi) 

Piano delle Platigliole NEO 

small patch of firn and snow of aeolian origin, firstly observed 

in 2007 (A. Galluccio, P. Pagliardi) 

Adamello 

Lavedole E 2002 

small, debris buried ice patch, reclassified as “minor glacial 

formation” (A. Toffaletti) 

Cima Laste N DL 2730 2002 

full snow cover, slight decrement from the last survey (P. 

Pagliardi) 

Cima Wanda DL 2800 2002 

extended snow cover, slight decrement from the last survey 

(P. Pagliardi) 

Remulo S 2900 2900 2003 

minimal size but substantially unchanged from the previous 

survey, full snow cover (V. Paneri) 

Macesso E 2002 

reduced to a small patch, reclassified as “minor glacial formation” 

(V.Paneri) 

Triangolo E 2000 no residual snow or ice (V. Paneri) 

Orobie 

Monte Torena Sup. S 2740 2740 2000 

full snow cover, substantially stable from the previous survey 

(L. Pironi) 

Druet DF irr. 2002 withdrawal of the terminus, net decrement (M. Butti,R. Scotti) 

Fascere DF irr. 2002 

some seasonal snow patches, fully covered by debris, strong 

loss of mass (M. Butti, R. Scotti) 

Pioda Inf. DM 2500 2500 2002 full snow cover, overall loss of mass (M. Butti, R. Scotti) 

Pioda Sup. DM 2585 2585 2002 full snow cover, overall loss of mass (M. Butti, R. Scotti) 

Pizzo Brunone DF 2510 2510 2001 

buried ice plate headed to extinction, covered by annual snow 

(M. Merati) 

Bocchetta di Podavitt DM 2345 2345 2001 

almost stable surface but net mass decrement (R. Bianchi, 

G.M. Lucini) 

Podavista S 2130 2120 1999 

very extensive snow cover, substantially unchanged (R. Bianchi, 

G.M. Lucini) 

M. Costone E irr. 2001 

no ice left, reclassified as “minor glacial formation” (M. Zambenedetti) 

Recastello DM n.v. 2001 

significant loss of mass since the last survey (S. D’Adda, F. 

Mocci) 

Abbreviations: N.M.: Not measured; n.v.: Not evaluated; ass: Absent; irr.: Irregular 


Survey


Survey 

The terminus variations The sample glaciers of Italian Glaciological 

Committee (CGI) 

Some glaciers subject to a complete survey have their linear terminus variations measured. 

The algebraic symbol indicates a downvalley advance (+) or an upvalley withdrawal (-). The 

variation is not directly linked to the snow-meteorological trend of the season. Many are the 

additional factors (such as: glacier response time, bedrock morphology, flux velocity, etc…) 

that make this parameter of little use in evaluating the state of the glacier in the survey year. 

However these glaciers carry an historical series of linear front measurements, which makes 

their continuous monitoring extremely interesting. Our glaciers, along with other Italian glaciers, 

are part of the historical sample of ice bodies surveyed by CGI. The sample is divided 

into two sets. Groups 1 and 2, selected on the basis of their glaciological importance and 

representativeness, include the glaciers measured once a year; group 3 include the glaciers 

measured on a rotational basis, generally once every 5 years. In the present phase of significant 

and prolonged decrements, the front measurements are coherent with the dynamic 

index: out of the 26 glaciers with annual measurement, only 1 has held its previous position; 

all the others have shown sometimes consistent shrinkages. The Passo di Chiareggio 

and Verva Maggiore Glaciers multi-year decrements were paroxysmal and caused by the 

dismemberments of dead-ice blocks, a typical feature of an intense withdrawal phase. 

Tab. 8: Summary of terminus measurement data, versus 2007 and previous years. 

Variations versus 2007 decrements increments unchanged 

26 25 (96,2 %) 0 1 (3,8 %) 

Variations versus previous years decrements increments unchanged 

3 3 (100 %) 0 0 

Fig. 7: The terminus variations of the Lombardy’s sample glaciers over the last 18 years. 

- 34 -

Tab. 9: The front variations of the sample glaciers since 1990: the dynamic phase is expressed by the 

algebraic sign. 

Year 

Number 

of measured 

glaciers 

Withdrawing glaciers Stable glaciers Advancing glacier 

number % number % number % 

1990 40 35 87,5 2 5,0 3 7,5 

1991 26 23 88,5 2 7,7 1 3,8 

1992 35 33 94,4 1 2,8 1 2,8 

1993 36 32 88,8 2 5,6 2 5,6 

1994 47 39 83,0 5 10,6 3 6,4 

1995 44 38 86,4 4 9,1 2 4,5 

1996 52 48 92,3 1 1,9 3 5,8 

1997 55 37 67,3 1 1,8 17 30,9 

1998 61 53 86,9 2 3,3 6 9,8 

1999 57 47 82,5 6 10,5 4 7,0 

2000 57 53 93,0 2 3,5 2 3,5 

2001 24 14 58,3 2 8,4 8 33,3 

2002 53 42 79,2 0 0 11 20,8 

2003 62 56 90,4 3 4,8 3 4,8 

2004 49 42 85,7 1 2,1 6 12,2 

2005 57 53 93,0 3 5,3 1 1,7 

2006 33 32 97 1 3 0 0 

2007 30 29 96,7 0 0 1 3,3 

2008 28 27 96,4 1 3,6 0 0 

Tab. 10: The synthetic indexes used in order to define the annual dynamic phase of Lombardy glaciers. 

Dynamic index Description 

S (Stable) meaningful morphologic variation versus the previous survey. Extensive snow cover. 

IL (Slight increment) snow cover over most of the glacier: slight increment of firn versus the previous year. 

IM (Moderate increment) snow cover over the whole glacier; terminus shows some advancement. 

IF (Strong increment) 

snow cover over the whole glacier and surrounding areas; significant snout advancement. 

DL (Slight decrement) Scarce snow cover, slight terminus retreat; or stable front but slightly reduced thickness. 

DM (Moderate decrement) 

DF (Strong decrement) 

Very scarce or absent snow cover, verified terminus retreat; thickness and area reduction. 

No snow cover, strong terminus retreat, or stable front but reduction of both thickness 

and area. 

I (Uncertain) the dynamic phase is doubtful (uncertain data, debris cover and so on…) 

E (Extinct) / EC (Extinct 

confirmation) 

Extinct during the current year / already extinct in the previous years 

- 35 - 


Survey


Survey 

MOST SIGNIFICANT PICTURES 

The Pizzo Ferrè Glacier in the Spluga Sector (August 24, 2008, E. Congiu). 

The Nord-East Sivigia Glacier, Codera-Masino Sector, taken on September 20, 2008 by A. 

Barilli. 

- 36 -

The two Fellaria Glaciers (Bernina) from Cima Fontana (September 9, 2008). Note the size of 

the proglacial lake of the East Fellaria Glacier (foreground) responsible, through the associated 

calving processes, for the sustained melting of the tongue (photo by M. Butti). 

This large-scale photo, taken by G. Cola on August 31, 2008, shows the greater part of the 

Forni Glacier basin in Upper Valtellina. The picture outlines the scarce, annual and multiannual, 

residual snow accumulations. 

- 37 - 


Survey


Survey 

The,Sissone Glacier in the Disgrazia Sector (August 30, 2008, photo by A. Almasio). 

The Pizzo Scalino Glacier, without residual snow cover (September 10, 2008, photo by M. 

Butti). 

- 38 -

The Dosdè Centrale Glacier in Val Viola Bormina (September 1, 2008, photo by F. Galluccio) 

The East Val Viola Glacier, in upper Val Viola Bormina, Dosdè-Piazzi Sector (August 10, 2008, 

photo by R. Scotti). 

- 39 - 


Survey


Survey 

The West Val Viola Glacier in a photo taken on August 31, 2008 (photo by S. Ratti) and in a 20year 

old picture (photo below). Note the great loss of mass (photo by M. Lojacono, 1985). 

- 40 -

The East Dosdè Glacier (Dosdè-Piazzi Sector) on September 1, 2008 (above, photo by F. Galluccio) 

and in 1985 (below, photo by A. Galluccio). The terminus has withdrawn more than 200 

m in 20 years. 

- 41 - 


Survey


Survey 

A 20-year interval separates 

these two photos of 

the Campo Nord Glacier 

in the Livigno Sector. Both 

the loss of mass and the 

strong reduction of the 

ice-walls are quite evident. 

The crevasses at the terminus 

are almost gone, 

while the debris cover has 

increased. The grooves 

cut into the ice by melting 

processes are visible, with 

2 deep bédières on the 

surface (above, photo by 

R. Scotti, August 3, 2008; 

below, by A. Galluccio, 

1988). 

- 42 -

In the Livigno Sector many glaciers have suffered significant withdrawal over the last decades. 

The South Vago Glacier in a picture taken by R. Scotti on August 3, 2008 (above) and (below) by 

A. Galluccio in 1988. Comparing the 2 images, one can notice the substantial dismemberment 

and the extinction of the apparatus. 

- 43 - 


Survey


Survey 

The Vitelli Glacier (Ortles-Cevedale) from Punta Radisca, on August 29, 2008. The accumulation 

basin was still covered by the annual snow (photo by P. Pagliardi). 

The Dosegù Glacier (Ortles-Cevedale) on August 21, 2008 (photo by A. Borghi). 

- 44 -

The terminus of the Forni Glacier (Ortles-Cevedale) on August 8, 2008 (photo by G. Cola). 

The Gran Zebrù Glacier (Ortles-Cevedale) almost devoid of its snow cover. (August 30, 2008, 

photo by C. Scolari). 

- 45 - 


Survey


Survey 

The Pian di Neve (Adamello) in a photo taken at the beginning of August, 2008 from Passo di 

Salarno. The snow cover was so thin that the ice was emerging (photo by P. Cinanni). 

- 46 -

The Vederetta del Venerocolo Glacier (Adamello) on August 30, 2008 (photo by A. Toffaletti); 

excluding the avalanche accumulations at the foot of the fans of the northern Adamello wall, the 

snow is very scarce. In the box: the break-up of the ice channel that, until last year, was linking 

the Vedretta dei Frati and the Vedretta del Venerocolo Glaciers. 

- 47 - 


Survey


Survey 

The Vedretta dell’Avio Centrale Glacier (Adamello Group) was showing some snow cover over 

about 30% of its surface and a continuously thinning terminus (August 29, 2008, photo by P. 

Cinanni). 

The Vedretta di Pisgana Ovest (Adamello) in a detail of its median part. The link between the 

front portion (foreground) and the accumulation basins is getting narrower (September 9, 2008; 

photo by F. Roveda). 

- 48 -

The Lupo Glacier (Orobic Alps) in a picture taken on August 30, 2008 by S. D’Adda. 

The Monte Torena Superiore Glacier (Orobic Alps) fully covered by snow on August 24, 2008 

(photo by L. Pironi). 

- 49 - 


Survey

MASS BALANCES 

Suretta Sud Glacier 

Lupo Glacier 

Alpe Sud Glacier 

Andrea Tamburini, Fabio Villa, 

R iccardo Scotti, Stefano D’Adda, Davide Perego 

with the collaboration of the Bormio Snow-Meteorological 

Centre (ARPA Lombardy)

Suretta Sud Glacier (Spluga-Lei Sector) 1 

Mass balance evaluation by geodetic method 

Since 2002, the net mass balance of the Suretta 

Sud Glacier is calculated by comparing the 

surface DEMs (Digital Elevation Models) acquired 

by direct field surveys using the differential 

GPS technique (Tamburini et al., 2003). 

1 For the methodology see www.sgl.cluster.it 

- 51 - 

The initial reading was taken in September, 

2001; the successive measurements were 

repeated at the end of each ablation season. 

Figs. 1 e 2: The Suretta Sud Glacier, 2 photos taken respectively on September 5, 2004 and on August 

28, 2001. The effect of the torrid 2002 and 2003 summers on the glacial mass is clearly visible. 

Survey equipment and methodology 

The surveys of the glacier have been conducted 

by using 2 GPS receivers operating in 

a differential mode; the first one (rover) is carried 

on the operator’s shoulders, the second 

one (reference), is installed on the reference 

point established during the 1st measurement, 

in order to have the possibility to overlap 

the surveys executed in different years, 

hence, making possible a direct comparison. 

2 GPS TRIMBLE 4000SSE receivers with 

a geodetic antenna and dual frequency (or 

equivalents) were used for the purpose; these 

tools are able to record the phase on which the 

GPS signal is modulated, allowing the determination 

of the coordinates of the route covered 

with centimetric accuracy (typically + 1 cm hor- 

izontally and + 2 cm vertically). With this equipment 

it is possible to operate in RTK (real time 

kinematic) mode whenever there is a direct 

radio or GSM link between the two stations, 

or else, if a continuous link between the stations 

is not possible, in post processing mode. 

Considering the characteristics of the area and 

the logistic conditions, the latter method was 

selected. The need to move along paths able to 

produce a detailed model of the surface while, 

at the same time, retracing the tracks of the previous 

surveys, have prompted the operators to 

visualize their movements over the glacial surface 

with a Mobile GIS Station constituted by: 

• Handheld Compaq PC, 

equipped with a Bluetooth door; 

mass balance

mass balance 

• 

Socket GPS receiver, able to transmit 

• 

the positions to the PC via Bluetooth; 

ArcPad software, to display in realtime 

the operator’s position on the 

topographic map, CTR 1:10000. 

The entire glacial surface has been traversed 

along paths designed to produce: the best possible 

coverage of the glacial area, a set of data 

best representing the slope gradient variations 

and, finally, a sufficiently precise contour 

DATA PROCESSING AND RESULTS 

The main data processing phases are listed 

and briefly described: 

• calculation of the horizontal and vertical 

- 52 - 

of the glacier’s margins (in our case, the greater 

part of the edges can be travelled over). 

The survey, in the specific case, takes about 3 

hours to complete. As an example, following are 

some graphics that were produced in the evaluation 

phase of the 2003-2004 mass balance. 

The paths followed during the survey and the position 

of the reference point are shown in Fig. 3. 

Fig. 3: Suretta Sud Glacier: paths followed 

during the September, 2004 

survey of the glacial surface using the 

differential GPS technique; the reference 

point position is marked in red. 

coordinates of the paths followed during 

the survey; the points were acquired 

every 3” and the GPS raw data were

- 53 - 

Fig. 4: Suretta Sud Glacier: the 

squared mesh model (GRID) of 

the surface surveyed in 2004 with 

the differential GPS technique. 

Fig. 5: Suretta Sud Glacier: polygonal 

coverage resulting from the 

comparison between 2003 and 2004 

surfaces: blue identifies the areas 

where the 2004 altitude values were 

below the 2003 ones; red highlights 

the areas where the 2004 altitude 

values exceeded those of 2003. 

mass balance

mass balance 

• 

• 

• 

• 

processed with a specific, commercial 

software; 

production of a terrain digital model 

through a mesh of irregular triangles 

(TIN, Triangulated Irregular Network), 

starting from the quoted points of the 

previous step, using the 3D Analyst 

module of ArcView; 

calculation of a square-mesh elevation 

model with a 5 m cell side (GRID) starting 

from the TIN. The raster model is a 

mandatory step if the different surfaces 

have to be compared to identify the variations 

among two successive periods. 

The 2004 surface GRID is represented 

in Fig. 4; 

elaboration of the net mass balance of 

the glaciological year 2003-2004, using 

the Map Algebra functions implemented 

in the Spatial Analyst module of 

ArcView, 

production of the map of positive or 

- 54 - 

Fig. 6: Suretta Sud Glacier: 

the position of the ablation 

measurements stakes installed 

in September 2003. 

negative altitude variations (Fig. 5), as 

a result of the comparisons between the 

2003 and the 2004 GRIDS; 

• calculation of the altitude variations 

GRID (Fig. 6), by subtracting the corresponding 

cells of both overlapped matrixes 

(2003 GRID minus 2004 GRID). 

For a better interpretation of the figures, it is 

worth to remind that the altitude variations in 

the considered period are the combined result 

of two different phenomena, both acting 

at the same time: the accumulation/ablation 

processes and the mass transfer from the accumulation 

area to the ablation one. 

The comparison between the two surfaces 

has allowed the calculation of the glacier’s net 

mass balance during the 2003-2004 season 

(September 14, 2003 –September 5, 2004). 

The net mass balance was – 86.000 m3 water 

equivalent (w.e.), i.e. a loss of 0,52 m w.e. for 

the entire surface. This figure is then compared 

with the readings of the ablation stakes

Fig. 7: Suretta Sud Glacier: the annual net mass balance for the period 2001-2008. 

installed at the end of the 2003 glaciological central sector, where the transfer of ice 

year, which given the following results: 

from the upper portions is active; 

• stake number 2 is protruding 50 cm less; • The situation is virtually stable in the 

• stake number 1 is protruding 33 cm upper part of the glacier along the right 

more. 

edge, probably due to avalanche accu- 

It is evident that the traditional evaluation of mulations. 

the mass balance through a few points may be A summary of the net mass balance results 

ambiguous and prone to errors. In our case, for for the period 2001-2008, calculated with the 

example, a greater number of stakes would be above described method, is reported in Fig. 7. 

needed in order to obtain meaningful results. It is easy to see that the 2002-2003 season, 

The installation and maintenance of a network with a loss of 2800 mm w.e., was the worst of 

of ablation stakes, without any doubt, would be the period, followed by the 2006-2007 (-2670 

more onerous than the glacial survey through mm w.e.) and 2005-2006 (-2500 mm w.e.) 

topographic methods. 

ones. 

An examination of the Fig. 6 chart, represent- Both these periods were in fact charactering 

the distributions of thickness variations, ized by anomalous thermal trends: the 2006 

highlights that: 

ablation season, besides lasting until October, 

• The greatest losses were recorded at the was the warmest since 1971 while the month 

lower left side, where the altitude differen- of April 2007 was recorded as the hottest of 

tial sometimes exceeded 4 m; 

the last 150 years, thus starting an anticipated 

• The minimum losses happened in the ablation season. The 2007-2008 net balance 

- 55 - 

mass balance

mass balance 

was once again negative with a total loss of 

350 mm w.eq Considering the total volume of 

the glacier, estimated to be about 1 million m³ 

based upon the GPR investigation of September 

2003, should the current climatic conditions 

continue, the Suretta Sud Glacier is bound to 

disappear in less than 10 years. 

- 56 -

Lupo Glacier (Orobic Alps) 

Snow cover measurements and mass balance evaluation 

Systematic snow cover measurements have 

been going on at the Lupo Glacier each summer 

season since 1996. The project, which 

involved five others sites in addition to this 

one, was conceived and coordinated by 

the SGL and named “Evoluzione del manto 

nevoso residuo annuale” (Evolution of the 

residual annual snow cover). Coordinated 

by Stefano D’Adda, an SGL team has sur- 

- 57 - 

veyed the Lupo Glacier 3 times each season, 

in accordance with the following timings. 

• first 10 days of June: accumulation 

measurements at the 3 sample locations. 

with stratigraphic test on location 2. 

• second half of July and end of August/ 

beginning of September: residual accumulation 

measurement at the 3 sample 

locations. 

Fig 1: Lupo Glacier: 

snow depth (HS) at 

the 3 sample locations. 

The maximum 

thickness was measured 

in 2001, while 

the scantiest accumulation 

season 

was the 2006/2007 

one. With 463 cm of 

total accumulation, 

2008 ranked 4th in 

our short historical 

series. 

mass balance

mass balance 

On May 27, 2006 a thermo-hygrometric sensor 

was installed at Bivacco Corti with the purpose 

of recording temperature and humidity values 

each 5’. In 2007 the Lupo Glacier joined other 

SGL laboratory glaciers in a project called 

“Stima del bilancio annuale della riserva idrica 

regionale di origine nivo-glaciale” (Estimation 

height of the snow cover (HS) at 109 points 

(referenced with GPS) in 2007 and 140 in 

2008. Data were interpolated through kriging 

and minimum curvature methods. On Octo- 

- 58 - 

of the annual balance of the regional reserves 

of snow and ice) and on June 24, 2007 two 

ablation stakes were installed. This allowed 

the calculation of accumulation, ablation and 

net balance at the 2 stakes in addition to the 

accumulation balance for the whole glacier. 

The latter analysis has been obtained from the 

Figs. 2, 3, and 4: Lupo Glacier: snow depth (HS) 

charts for 09.06.2007 and 15.06.2008 and the differences 

between 2007 and 2008. During 2007 (Fig. 2) 

109 probes were made in 2 days; In order to improve 

the interpolation, 7 additional points were added in 

the front zone, not covered by snow and unattainable 

because of the high slope gradient of the area. In 

2008 (Fig. 3) 140 probes were performed, with snow 

depth variable from 100 to 850 cm. Fig 4. shows the 

snow depth differential between 2007 and 2008; the 

accumulation was greater in 2008 at each point, with 

increments ranging from 100 to 700 cm. Cartographic 

base: CTR of Lombardy Region; glacial surface updated 

at 2006. (Data processing: R. Scotti) 

ber 5, 2008 SGL produced the first differential 

GPS survey on the glacier, in order to evaluate, 

starting from the following year, the net 

annual mass balance by the geodetic method.

Tab.1: Data interpolation show 2008 volumes to be greater than 2007 ones, both on sheer volume 

of snow and water equivalent content, thanks to the increased density. The water stored in 

the 2008 snow cover was almost 600,000 m³ . The 2008 specific accumulation reached 3.04 

m w.e. while the figure for 2007 was 1.20 m w.e.. Data have been derived from interpolation 

through kriging and minimum curvature methods. 

Lupo Glacier accumulation balance Units 2007 2008 

Reference area of the glacier (2006) m² 197.113 

Volume of the snow cover m³ 460.498 1.051.548 

Average density of snow cover 0,512 0,569 

Water stored in the snow m³ 235.775 598.331 

Specific accumulation balance (meters of water 

equivalent) 

Fig. 6: October 5, 2008 (Photo by 

V. Sciaresa) The acquisition of 

data by means of the differential 

GPS. 

- 59 - 

m w.e. 1,20 3,04 

Fig. 5: The specific balance (accumulation, 

ablation and net) at the 

two stakes, located at mid-glacier 

in an area with direct accumulation 

only. Thanks to a much better accumulation, 

2008 showed a net balance 

less negative than 2007. The 

figure of the positive degrees day at 

the Bivacco Corti station, indicated 

very similar values for the 2007 

(752 DD >0 °C) and 2008 (752 DD 

>0 °C) ablation seasons. The same 

can be said of the summer ablation 

values (snow + ice melted during 

the summer months) 

Operators involved in 2007 and 2008 surveys at Lupo Glacier: A. Amato,D. Bavera, S. D’Adda, 

P. Dego, M. Dusatti, M. Gianatti, D. Gotti, E. Gotti, A. Gusmeroli, G. M. Lucini, F. Mocci, 

M. Pagni, D. Perego, R. Scotti, V. Sciaresa, D. Sironi, A. Toffaletti, S. Vigani and F. Villa. 

mass balance

mass balance 

Alpe Sud Glacier at Monte Sobretta (Ortles - Cevedale) 

10 years of mass balance and monthly snow cover investigations 

Just below the Monte Sobretta peak, on the small Alpe Sud Glacier, the Bormio Snow - Meteorological 

Centre operators, coordinated by SGL, have been conducting monthly snow investigations 

and evaluation of the ice thickness since October 1997. The readings are taken at 2 stakes 

located at 3170 m and 3220 m a.s.l. Having reached 10 years of uninterrupted investigations, it 

is now possible to produce some additional summary data (stake 2, at 3170 m a.s.l.). The average 

accumulation value was + 0,97 m w.e., the average ablation value - 2,24 m w.e., and the 

net mass balance - 1,46 m w.e. The total loss from 1997/1998 to 2007/2008 has reached - 16,0 

m w.e. 

Fig. 8: Alpe Sud Glacier at Monte Sobretta: the specific mass balance at stake 2 (3170 m a.s.l.) in m w.e. The 

2008 year saw a net balance of – 1,3 m w.e.; in the historical series, only the 2000/2001 season has seen a 

positive net balance, thanks to the huge accumulation. The most negative ablation balance (-3,3 m w.e.) occurred 

in the 2002/2003 season, while the worst net balance was reached in the 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 

seasons. ARPA Lombardy data (Bormio Snow-Meteorological Centre). 

- 60 - 

Fig. 7: The small Alpe Sud 

Glacier at Monte Sobretta 

has been hosting the main 

SGL snow site since 1997. 

In the picture taken on 

August 30, 2008, the glacier 

is once again without 

residual snow, a common 

sight since 2001 (photo by 

P. Pagliardi).

Fig. 9: Alpe Sud Glacier at Monte Sobretta: the snow cover thickness and the level of the ice surface at stake 

2 (3170 m a.s.l.), in cm. Quite evident is the acceleration of the decrements from 2003 onwards. Since 1997, 

the glacier has lost 17,5 m of ice (16.0 m w.e.). ARPA Lombardy data (Bormio Snow-Meteorological Centre). 

- 61 - 

mass balance

mass balance 

DETAILS OF THE METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS 

Sils/Maria 

(Alta Engadina, Cantone dei Grigioni - Svizzera) 

Quota: 1798 m/slm 

Coordinate: 46° 26’ N / 09° 46’ E 

Esposizione: NW 

Gestore e fornitore dei dati: MeteoSchweiz 

The village of Sils/Maria is located on the floor of the Upper Engadina Valley, at 

the end of Val di Fex; it is only a few kilometres from the main Rhaetic ridge. The 

Upper Engadina, though being the best example of a mid–Alpine valley, has the 

hydro-meteorological characteristics of the Southern Alps. No coincidence: November 

2002, recorded as the month with the highest precipitation since1864, 

was characterized by strong south-westerly currents. Sils/Maria has logged a 

rare, enviable and uninterrupted 140-year long series of climatic data. For the 

comparisons only the 1988-2005 mean value has been considered, to allow a 

match with the S. Antonio data, whose mean value is referred to the same period. 

Bivacco Corti 

(Val d’Arigna, Orobie Valtellinesi, Sondrio - Italia) 


Coordinate CTR: N 5103334 - E 1576374 

Esposizione: SE 

Gestore: Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo 

The thermo – hygrometric station is located at Bivacco Corti, a few dozen meters 

from the Lupo Glacier. Despite being slightly north of the Orobic watershed, the 

sensor has a good sunny exposure also during the winter months. The thermo– 

hygrometric sensor is located inside a Davis passive solar screen (8 plates), 205 

cm above the ground. The monthly average values have been calculated on 

the basis of the daily maximum and minimum temperatures (tmax + tmin) / 2. 

Sondrio 

(fondovalle valtellinese - Italia) 


Coordinate: 46°10’ N / 09°52’ E 

Esposizione: S (fondovalle) 

Gestore: Fabio Pozzoni (ass.ne meteonetwork) 

The station, active since 2002, is located outside the town and minimally affected 

by the town heat. Its data are representative of climatic conditions of the 

Scalino-Painale and southern Disgrazia Massif Sectors. Thermically speaking, its 

position on the valley floor adequately tracks the thermal values of the foehn 

episodes, though maintaining typically continental thermal conditions. The 

average rain values (1988/2006 time interval) have been calculated based on 

ERSAF data (1988/2001), together with data by F. Pozzoni from 2002 onwards. 

Massimeno 

(versante sinistro Val Rendena (TN) - Italia) 


Coordinate: 46°08’ N / 10°46’ E 

Esposizione: O (versante) 

Gestore: Andrea Toffaletti (S.G.L.) 

The station, in operation since 2001, it is located on a grassy slope, 180 cm 

above the ground in the Massimeno territory, on the left orographic side 

of Val Rendena. The station is located about 110 m above the valley floor, 

at an altitude of 860 m a.s.l. and reproduces the pluviometric conditions of 

the western side of the Adamello Massif. The historical average has been 

calculated with data from the Pinzolo meteorological station (2 km North) 

from 1920 to 1990 and from the Massimeno station from 2001 onwards. 

- 62 - 

S. Antonio Valfurva 

(Alta Valtellina, Valfurva, Sondrio - Italia) 


Coordinate: 46°27’ N / 10° 25’ E 

Esposizione: S 

Gestore e fornitore dei dati: Giuseppe Cola (S.G.L.) 

The meteorological station, because of its central position among the Upper 

Valtellina glaciers, has been an important reference point for the SGL 

snow-meteorological reports for the past 15 years. Located on the valley 

floor, though being in a hydro-meteorological context drier than to the 

rest of the region*, the station is however representative of the condition 

of the nearby SGL snow site of the Monte Sobretta (Alpe Sud Glacier, 3180 

m). The historical series was based on the data recorded during the period 

1987/1988 – 2005. 

* S. Antonio di Valfurva (649, 2 mm/year of rainfalls) is, together with Livigno, 

among the driest places of Lombardy. 

Bivacco Resnati 

(Val d’Arigna, Orobie Valtellinesi, Sondrio - Italia) 


Coordinate CTR: N 5103871 - E 1577294 

Esposizione: N 


The thermo–hygrometric station is set on a large boulder sheltering the 

Bivacco Resnati, on top of the right lateral moraine and approx.100 m 

away from the Marovin Glacier. The orographic shadow is so efficient that 

the thermo–hygrometer is overshadowed for nearly 5 months. The sensor 

is located inside a Davis passive solar screen (8 plates), 540 cm above 

the ground. The monthly average values have been calculated on the basis 

of the daily maximum and minimum temperatures (tmax + tmin) / 2. 

Andalo Valtellino 

(fondovalle valtellinese, Sondrio - Italia) 


Coordinate: 46°08’ N / 09° 28’ E 

Esposizione: N (fondovalle) 

Gestore e fornitore dei dati: Riccardo Scotti (S.G.L.) 

The village, located at the lower end of Valtellina, represents very well the 

pluviometric conditions of the Orobic sector and, partially, Val Chiavenna. 

The station, located at “i Burnìgui”, enjoys a better sunny exposure than the 

town centre in the winter days. The Lower Valtellina climate, less continental 

than its Middle or Upper sectors, is mitigated by the vicinity of Lake Como. 

The precipitation average is based on the annual figure of 1350 mm**. 

The monthly values are based on annual data from the historical series 

1988/2006 at Morbegno (SO), a site located few kilometres East of the meteorological 

station. 

** Average precipitations chart, annual min and max values on the Lombardy 

alpine territory (1981/1990), M. Ceriani and M. Carelli, Lombardy Region. 

Passo Venerocolo 

(alta Val d’Avio, Gruppo Adamello - Italia) 


Coordinate: 46°08’ N / 10°46’ E 

Esposizione: S (cima) 


The Passo Venerocolo station, installed at 3230 m a.s.l. near the southern 

fore-peak of Monte dei Frati, is currently the highest thermo–hygrometric 

station in Lombardy. The sensor is less than 100 m away from the Glacier 

and a few dozen meters above it. The thermo–hygrometric sensor 

is located inside a Davis passive solar screen (8 plates), 150 cm above the 

ground. The monthly average values have been calculated on the basis 

of the daily maximum and minimum temperatures (tmax + tmin) / 2.

Terra Glacialis 

Numbers I-III in Italiano with abstracts in Italiano, English, Fraçais, Deutsch 

Numbers IV-X in Italiano and English with abstracts in Italiano, English, Fraçais 

Number XI in Italiano with abstracts in Italiano and English 

Terra Glacialis Special Issue “Mountain glaciers and climate changes in the last century” in 

Italiano and English 

For more info please visit www.sgl.cluster.it

Terra glacialis Edizione speciale / Special issue 

Presentazione / Preface (Cambieri F.) 

Prefazione / Foreword (Bonardi L.) 

FRANCOU B. - Le fluttuazioni dei ghiacciai durante e dopo la Piccola Età Glaciale (secc. XIX-XX) / Glacier 

fluctuations during and after the Little Ice Age 

DEMUTH M.N., PIETRONIRO A., LUCKMAN B.H., HOPKINSON C. - Variazioni recenti e secolari delle risorse 

glaciali nelle Montagne Rocciose Canadesi: il sistema del fiume Nelson / Recent and past-century variations 

in the glacier resources of the Canadian Rocky Mountains: Nelson River system 

SIGURDSSON O. - I ghiacciai dell'Islanda: caratteristiche e variazioni nel corso dell'ultimo secolo / Glaciers of 

Iceland: peculiarities and variations during the last century 

SAMUEL-ECKERLE E., HAGEDORN H. - I ghiacciai della Germania: relitti del passato / Glaciers in Germany: 

relicts of the past 

GABROVEC M. - Il Ghiacciaio del Triglav (Slovenia) / The Triglav Glacier (Slovenia) 

ROVELLI E. - Le variazioni dei ghiacciai italiani dalla Piccola Età Glaciale ad oggi / Variations of the Italian 

Glaciers from the Little Ice Age to the present 

GALLUCCIO A., SCOTTI R. - I ghiacciai della Lombardia di fronte al cambiamento climatico (secc. XX-XXI) / 

Lombardy Glaciers and climatic changes (XX-XXI centuries) 

RENE' P. - I ghiacciai dei Pirenei Francesi: descrizione e variazioni recenti / Glaciers of the French Pirenees: 

description and recent variations 

CHUECA J., JULIAN A., LOPEZ-MORENO J.I. - Il ritiro dei ghiacciai pirenaici (Spagna) dalla Piccola Età 

Glaciale: consistenza e differenze spaziali / The retreat of the Pirenean glaciers (Spain) from the Little Ice Age: 

data consistency and spatial differences 

SMIRAGLIA C., MAYER C., MIHALCEA C., DIOLAIUTI G., BELO' M., VASSENA G. - I ghiacciai dell'Himalaya- 

Karakorum. Risultati e problemi nello studio delle variazioni recenti dei più grandi ghiacciai non polari / Himalaya-Karakorum 

glaciers: results and problems in the study of recent variations of major non-polar glaciers 

MENDOZA RODRIGUEZ J.C. - I ghiacciai tropicali della Cordigliera Real di Bolivia ed il loro comportamento di 

fronte al cambiamento climatico globale / The tropical glaciers of Cordillera Real ijn Bolivia and their behaviour 

faced with global climatic change 

LEIVA J.C., ESPIZUA L.E., ITURRASPE R.I., MASIOKAS M., NORTE F.A., VILLALBA R. - La risposta dei 

ghiacciai argentini al clima dei secoli XX e XXI / The response of the Argentinian glaciers to the climate of the 

XX and XXI centuries 

RIVERA A., BOWN F., ACUNA C. ORDENES F. - I ghiacciai del Cile come indicatori dei cambiamenti climatici 

/ Chilean glaciers as indicators of climatic change 

KERR T., OWENS I. - Ghiacciai e cambiamenti climatici durante l'ultimo secolo nella regione Aoraki/Mt. 

Cook, Nuova Zelanda / Glaciers and climate change over the last century in the Aoraki/Mt. Cook region, New 

Zealand 

BONARDI L. - Oltre un secolo di deglaciazione / More than a century of deglaciation 

LE ROY LADURIE E. - Recensione di "Les glaciers à l'épreuve du climat"/ Review of "Les glaciers à l'épreuve 

du climat" (FRANCOU B., VINCENT C.)

ANNO XI -N°11 

Editoriale / Editorial 

CERUTTI A. V., FRANCHINO A., BIANCHI POTENZA B. - Evoluzione storica del 

Ghiacciaio di Pre-De-Bard (Monte Bianco, Val Ferret, Italia) Historical evolution of the Pré-De-Bard Glacier (Mount 

Blanc Group - Ferret Valley, Italy) 

MOTTA M. - Il ruolo del termocarsismo negli apparati glaciali in forte regresso: l’esempio del Ghiacciaio del Lys / 

The role of thermokarst for fast withdrawing glaciers: the case of the Lys Glacier 

PICCINI P., MONTERIN W. - Le anomalie termiche dell’inverno 2006-2007 presso l’osservatorio meteorologico 

di Gressoney D’ejola (AO). Cenni sullo stato attuale dei ghiacciai del versante meridionale del Monte Rosa (Val 

D’Aosta-Piemonte, Italia) / Thermal anomalies of the 2006-2007 winter as recorded at the Gressoney D’Ejola 

meteo station. A short summary of the present situation of the glaciers located on fhe southern slope of the Monte 

Rosa Massif (Val D’Aosta-Piedmont, Italy) 

CATASTA G. - Andamento dello zero termico a Milano Linate nel semestre maggio-ottobre del periodo 1981-2005 

/ Trend of the 0 °C isotherm at Milano Linate for the 1981-2005 May-October semester 

DEI CAS L. - Analisi dei dati meteorologici del periodo 1987-2007 rilevati in territori di alta montagna della provincia 

di Sondrio / Analysis of high altitude meteorological data recorded in the province of Sondrio over the period 

1987-2007 

SCOTTI R., TOFFALETTI A., COLZANI L. - L’anno idrologico 2006-2007 nelle Alpi lombarde: nota nivo-meteorologica 

/ The hydrological year 2006-2007 in the Lombard Alps: snow and meteorological note (a cura di / by 

Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo e Centro Nivo-meteorologico regionale di Bormio (ARPA) 

SERVIZIO GLACIOLOGICO LOMBARDO - Campagna Glaciologica 2007, settore 

Alpi Centrali italiane / Glaciological Campaign 2007, Italian Central Alps sector 

GUSMEROLI A., VILLA F. - Un lungo giorno alle Svalbard: viaggio tra la geologia e la glaciologia delle isole artiche 

/ A long day at the Svalbard: a journey through geology and glaciology of the arctic Islands 

RAMÍREZ CADENA J. - Studi glaciologici nel Parco Nazionale Naturale “Los Nevados” e loro applicazione per la 

determinazione dell’evoluzione dei ghiacciai tropicali dellaColombia / Glaciological analyses in the “Los Nevados” 

Nature National Park and their application to the study of the evolution of Colombia’s tropical glaciers 

CÁCERES B., JORDAN E., FRANCOU B., PEÑAFIEL A. - Aggiornamento sull’evoluzione della calotta glaciale 

del vulcano Cotopaxi (Equador) tramite fotogrammetria digitale /Evolution of the ice cap of the Cotopaxi Volcano 

(Equador) derived by digital photogrammetry 

RASSEGNA GLACIOLOGICA INTERNAZIONALE / International glaciological literature Anno 2007: bibliografia / 

Year 2007: references (a cura di / by S. Ballabio)

ANNO X-N° 10 

Editoriale / Editorial (Galluccio A.) 

BRAZZELLI N.- Il ghiaccio fatale: ideologia imperiale e rappresentazione del paesaggio antartico nei diari 

dellùltimo viaggio di Scott / The fatal ice: imperial ideology and representation of the Antarctic landscape in the 

journals of Scott`s last expedition. 

RASMUSSEN I. A. - Estensione spaziale dellìnfluenza degli indici di circolazione del Nord Atlantic sul bilancio di 

massa dei ghiacciai / Spatial extent of influence on glacier mass balance of North Atlantic circulation indices. 

VOICULESCU M. - Considerazioni preliminari sulle precipitazioni nevose e sulla neve al suolo nei Carpazi Meridionali 

/ Preliminary consideration about snowfall events and snowpack in the southern Carpathian Mountains 

- Romanian Carpathian. 

KONOVALOV V. - Variazioni di lungo periodo dei fattori che influenzano la disponibilita`di acqua nei bacini imbriferi 

alimentati da fusione di neve e ghiaccio / Long term change of water balance components in the river basins 

of snow and ice melted feeding. 

COLA G. - Il metodo ideato per monitorare il seracco "Lamar" della Parete Nord del S. Matteo(not translated into 

English) 

MAZZA A. - Il grande ghiaccio dell`Hohsand: sua evoluzione dal 1800 a oggi. Interpretazione nel quadro della 

meccanica dei ghiacciai / The large Hohsand Glacier: its evolution from 1800 to the present; an interpretation 

based on the glacier`s mechanic. 

DIOTRI F., THEODULE A., VAGLIASINDI M., COSSON L. - Progetto "ghiacciai sorvegliati speciali": monitoraggio 

fotografico dei principali ghiacciai della Val Ferret (Courmayeur-Valle dÀosta) /The "specially supervised glaciers" 

project: a photographic monitoring of Val Ferret glaciers (Courmayeur-Aosta Valley). 

SCOTTI R., TOFFALETTI A. - L'anno idrologico 2005-2006 nelle Alpi lombarde: nota nivo-meteorologica / The hydrological 

year 2004-2005 in the Lombard Alps: snow and meteorological note (a cura di/by Servizio Glaciologico 

Lombardo e Centro Nivometeorologico regionale di Bormio (ARPA) 

SERVIZIO GLACIOLOGICO LOMBARDO - Campagna Glaciologica 2006, settore Alpi Centrali Italiane / 2006 

Glaciological Campaign, sector Italian Central Alps. 

SCOTTI R., GUSMEROLI A. - Analisi dei primi dati termoigrometrici al Bivacco Corti (Ghiacciaio del Lupo - Orobie 

Valtellinesi) / Analysis of the early thermo-hygrometric data at the Corti Hut (Lupo Glacier-Orobic Alps of Valtellina). 

ITINERARIO DI VISITA N°1.2007: Alla ricerca del sasso perduto / Looking for the lost boulder(G.A.M Lojacono, 

G.Orsucci) 

RASSEGNA GLACIOLOGICA INTERNAZIONALE / International glaciological literature. Anno 2006: bibiliografia 

/ Year 2006: references (a cura di/by S.Ballabio) 

ABSTRACT Italiano, English, Français

ANNO IX-N°9 

Editoriale / Editorial (Galluccio A.) 

ROVELLI E. - Il Ghiacciaio del Calderone: ricostruzione delle oscillazioni recenti mediante l'analisi delle fonti 

iconografico-storiche e meteo-climatiche / Calderone Glacier: reconstruction of recent oscillation through the 

analysis of the ichonograohic-historical and meteo-climatic sources (Gran Sasso, Abruzzo, Italy) 

LUZZARO A., CACCIANIGA M., PIERCE S., CERABOLINI B. - Dinamica di vegetazione in ambiente proglaciale 

alpino: Due studi condotti nelle Alpi italiane / Vegetation dynamics on alpine glacier forelands: two case studies 

in the Italian Alps 

D'AGATA C, SMIRAGLIA C., ZANUTTA A. - Il Ghiacciaio della Brenva (Gruppo del Monte Bianco). Il contributo 

della fotogrammetria e della cartografia storica nello studio dell'evoluzione recente di un debris covered glacier / 

Brenva Glacier (Mount Blanc Group). The contribution of photogrammetry and historic cartography in the study of 

a debris covered glacier recent evolution 

GUGLIELMIN M. - Il permafrost nelle Alpi italiane e la stabilità dei versanti / Permafrost on the italian Alps and 

slope stability 

KONOVALOV V. - Previsione del bilancio annuale di massa dei ghiacciai / Remote measurements of the annual 

mass balance of glaciers 

SCOTTI R., TOFFALETTI A. - L'anno idrologico 2004-2005 nelle Alpi lombarde: nota nivo-meteorologica / The 

hydrological year 2004-2005 in the lombard Alps: snow and meteorological note (a cura di/by Servizio Glaciologico 

Lombardo e Centro Nivometeorologico regionale di Bormio (ARPA) 



SCOTTI R., COLA G - Il seracco "Lamar" alla Punta S.Matteo: un anno di monitoraggi / The "Lamar" serac on 

S.Matteo peak, a monitoring year 

ITINERARIO DI VISITA N°1.2006: Il rock glacier della costiera dei Cech / The rock glacier of Costiera dei Cech 

(A.Toffaletti, L.Colzani) 

RASSEGNA GLACIOLOGICA INTERNAZIONALE / International glaciological literature. Anno 2005: bibiliografia 

/ Year 2005: references (a cura di/by S.Ballabio) 


ANNO VIII-N°8 

Editoriale / Editorial (Bonardi L.) 

COLA G. - La grande frana della cresta Sud-Est della Punta Thurwieser (Thurwieser-spitze) 3658 m (Alta Valtellina, 

Italia) / The large earthflow of the South-Easth crest of Turwieser peak (Thurwieser spitze)3658 m (Upper 

Valtellina, Italy). 

MAZZA A. - Il Ghiacciaio del Belvedere: "to surge or not to surge, this is the problem" / The Belvedere Glacier 

case: "to surge or not to surge, this is the problem" 

SCOTTI R., PAGLIARDI P., TOFFALETTI A. - L'anno idrologico 2003-2004 nelle Alpi lombarde: nota nivo-meteorologica 

/ The hydrological year 2003-2004 in the Lombard Alps: snow and meteorological note (a cura del/by 

Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo e del Centro Nivometeorologico regionale di Bormio (ARPA) 



SCOTTI R., COLA G. - L'imminente crollo del Seracco del S.Matteo / The impendant fall of S.Matteo's serac 

ITINERARI DI VISITA N°1.2005, 2.2005, 3.2005, 4.2005: Il Sasso Bianco, il Sasso di Preguda e altri erratici del 

Triangolo Lariano / "Sasso Bianco", "Sasso di Preguda" and other erratic boulders in the area of Lake Como 

(Scolari C., Cambieri F., Peroschi M.E.) 

"L'homme face au climat", un simposio al Collège de France (Parigi, 12-13 ottobre 2004) / a symposium at 

Collège de France (Paris 12th-13th October 2004) (Bonardi L.) 

"32° International Geological Congress", Firenze, 20-28 Agosto 2004 / Florence, Italy, August 20-28 (Cambieri 

F., Peroschi M.E.) 

RASSEGNA GLACIOLOGICA INTERNAZIONALE / International glaciological literature. Anni 2003 e 2004 / 

Years 2003 and 2004: references (a cura di/by Ballabio S.) 


ANNO VII-N°7 


GALLUCCIO A., CAMBIERI F., BONETTI L., BONARDI L., COLA G. - L'anno idrologico 2002-2003 nelle Alpi lombarde: 

nota nivo-meteorologica / The 2002-2003 hydrological year on the Alps in Lombardy: snow weather note 

(a cura/by Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo and Centro Nivometeorologico Regionale, Bormio) 



COLA G.-Il ghiacciaio dei Forni nella torrida estate 2003 / Forni Glacier in 2003 torrid summer 

MAZZA A. - I ghiacciai della Valle Anzasca: evoluzione recente e situazione attuale / The glaciers of Valle Anzasca: 

recent evolution and current conditions 

PICCINI P., FREPPAZ M. - Ghiacciaio di Indren: evoluzione della copertura nivoglaciale e dei regimi termici. Influenza 

e rischi connessi dela attività antropica (Monte Rosa, Italia) / Indren Glacier: evolution of snow cover and 

thermal regimes. Influences and risk connected to anthropic use (Monte Rosa, Italy) 

TAMBURINI A., BELOTTI M., LOJACONO M. -Bilancio di massa 2002-2003 del Ghiacciaio di Suretta Sud mediante 

rilievo GPS differenziale (Valle di S.Giacomo, Lombardia, Italia) / South Suretta Glacier.2002-2003 mass 

balance determination by means of GPS differential techniques (S.Giacomo Valley, Lombardy, Italy) 

VOICULESCU M., TOROK M. - La localizzazione del permafrost nel Massiccio Fagaras mediante metodologie 

informatiche (Carpazi meridionali rumeni) / Permafrost occurrence in Fagaras Massifby means of informatic methods 

(Southern rumanian Carpathians) 

DI GALLO G. -Revisione fotografica dei ghiacciai del Monte Canin (agosto 2003) / Photographic update of the 

Monte Canin glaciers 

ITINERARIO DI VISITA N°1.2004: Il Giàs e il Vendul del Monte Secco (Valle Seriana, Prealpi bergamasche) / The 

Gias and Vendul of Monte Secco (Seriana Valley - Bergamo foothills)(D'Adda S.) 


ANNO VI-N°6 


TAMBURINI A., LOJACONO M., BELOTTI . - Variazioni volumetriche di un ghiacciaio determinate mediante 

rilievo GPS differenziale (Ghiacciaio di Suretta Sud, valle dello Spluga, Italia ) / Volume variations of a glacier 

determined by using differential GPS surveys (Suretta South glacier, Spluga valley, Italy) 

MAZZA A. - La teoria delle onde cinematiche: possibile applicazione al ghiacciaio del Belvedere (Valle Anzasca, 

Alpi Italiane) Ipotesi preliminari / The kinematics wave theory: a possible application to “Ghiacciaio del Belvedere” 

(Valle Anzasca, Italian Alps). Preliminary hypothesis 

TAMBURINI A., MORTARA G., BELOTTI M., FEDERICI P. - L’emergenza del Lago “Effimero” sul Ghiacciaio del 

Belvedere nell’estate 2002 (Macugnaga, Monte Rosa, Italia). Studi eseguiti, tecniche di indagine utilizzate e principali 

risultati ottenuti / The emergency caused by the “Short-lived Lake” of the Belvedere Glacier in the summer 

2002 (Macugnaga, Monte Rosa, Italy). Studies, survey techniques and main results 

COLA G. - Variazioni della lingua del Ghiacciaio dei Forni (Ortles-Cevedale, Italia) nel ventennio 1981-2002 / The 

tongue variations of the Forni Glacier (Ortles-Cevedale, Italy) in the period 1981-2002 

VALAGUSSA P. - L’evoluzione del Ghiacciaio del Morteratsch dalla fine della Piccola Età Glaciale a oggi (Gruppo 

del Bernina, Svizzera) / The evolution of the Morteratsch Glacier from the end of the Little Ice Age to the present 

days (Bernina Group, Switzerland) 

GALLUCCIO A., BONETTI L., BONARDI L., COLA G., CATASTA G. - L’anno idrologico 2001-2002 nelle Alpi lombarde: 

nota nivo-meteorologica / The 2001-2002 hydrological year on the Alps in Lombardy: snow-weather report 

(a cura di / by Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo and Centro Nivometeorologico Regionale di Bormio) 

CATASTA G. - Lo zero termico estivo a Milano nel decennio 1991-2000 / The summer thermal zero above Milan 

in the 1991-2000 decade 



ITINERARIO DI VISITA N° 1.2003: Il “Nevaio del Colombano” al Monte Legnone / Itinerary Nr 1.2003: The “Colombano 

Snowfield” of Monte Legnone (Scotti R.) 

PICCINI P., FREPPAZ M. - Studi nivologici sul Ghiacciaio di Indren (Monte Rosa, Italia) / Snow studies on the 

Indren Glacier (Monte Rosa, Italy) 

RASSEGNA GLACIOLOGICA INTERNAZIONALE / International glaciological literature Anno 2002: bibliografia / 

Year 2002: references (a cura di / by Almasio A.) 


ANNO V-N°5 

BONARDI L..- Editoriale / Editorial 

NERI M.- Incidenza dei ghiacciai pleistocenici nell'evoluzione morfo-strutturale del Vulcano Etna (Sicilia, Italia) / 

The influence of the Pleistocene glaciers in the morpho-structural evolution of the Etna Volcano (Sicily, Italy) 

TOGNIN P. - Considerazioni teoriche sulla struttura e sul funzionamento degli acquiferi endo- e sottoglaciali: il 

contributo della speleologia glaciale / Theoretical considerations on the structure and the functioning of endo- 

and subglacial aquifers: the contribution of glacial speleology. 

MAZZA A. - I ghiacciai dell'Alpe Veglia: variazioni storiche e dinamica attuale (Alpi occidentali, Piemonte) / The 

glaciers of Alpe Veglia: historical fluctuations and present dynamics (Western Alps, Piedmont, Italy) 

PICCINI P. - Indren: glacialismo del ventesimo secolo / Indren: glacialism of the twentieth century. 

VOICULESCU M. - Sulla morfologia subnivale e di superficie dei depositi nivali del Massiccio del Fagaras (Carpazi 

Rumeni): analisi preliminare (seconda parte) / The sub-snow and surface morphology of the snow deposits 

of theFagaras Massif (Romanian Carpathians): preliminary analysis (second part) 

GALLUCCIO A., ALMASIO A., BONETTI L., BONARDI L., COLA G., PRAOLINI A.- L'anno idrologico 2000-2001 

nelle Alpi lombarde: nota nivo-meteorologica / The 2000-2001 hydrological year on the Alps in Lombardy:snow 

weather note (a cura/by Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo and Centro Nivometeorologico Regionale, Bormio) 



SERVIZIO GLACIOLOGICO ALTO ADIGE (C.A.I) (a cura di F.Secchieri) - Campagna Glaciologica 2001,settore 

Alto Adige / 2001 Glaciological Campaign, sector Alto Adige-Sudtirol 

Itinerario n°1.2002: Il "Nevaio" del Grignone / The Grignone snowfield ( Scolari C.) 

Itinerario n°2.2002: I ghiacciai delle Alpi Giulie: visita al ghiacciaio del Canin / The glaciers of the Julian Alps: a 

trip to the Canin Glacier ( Almasio A.) 

Rassegna Glaciologica Internazionale. Anno 2001: bibliografia. Eventi 2002 / International glaciological literature. 

Year 2001: references. Events 2002 (a cura di/by Almasio A.) 


ANNO IV-N°4 

GALLUCCIO A, COLA G. - La guerra Bianca nell'Ortles-Cevedale: il ghiaccio scrigno della memoria/The White 

War on Ortles-Cevedale: the ice as a casket of memories. 

SECCHIERI F.- Il sito glaciogeno alpino/The alpine glaciogenic site. 

VOICULESCU M.- Considerazioni sulla presenza di neve in estate nella zona periglaciale del Massiccio Fagaras 

(Carpazi rumeni) (parte prima)/Consideration on the presence of snow in summer on the periglacial zone in the 

Massif Fagaras (Romanian Carphatians)(first part). 

TOGNIN P.-Cavità endoglaciali e processi criocarsici: il punto sulle conoscenze attuali/Endoglacial caves and 

cryokarst processes: focus on the present knowledge. 

GALLUCCIO A., ALMASIO A., BONETTI L., BONARDI L., COLA G., PRAOLINI A.- L'anno idrologico 1999-2000 

nelle Alpi lombarde: nota nivo-meteorologica/The 1999-2000 hydrological year on the Alps in Lombardy:snow 

weather note (a cura/by Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo and Centro Nivometeorologico Regionale, Bormio) 



SERVIZIO GLACIOLOGICO ALTO ADIGE (C.A.I) (a cura di F.Secchieri) - Campagna Glaciologica 2000, settore 

Alto Adige / 2000 Glaciological Campaign, sector Alto Adige-Sudtirol (a cura by Secchieri F.) 

ITINERARIO DI VISITA N°1.2001: I ghiacciai delle Alpi Giulie: visita al Ghiacciaio del Montasio /Itinerary nr. 

1.2001: The glaciers of the Julian Alps: visit to Ghiacciaio Occidentale del Montasio(Almasio A.) 

ANNO 2000 - Eventi e Bibliografia (Rassegna Glaciologica Internazionale a cura di C.Smiraglia) 


ANNO III-N°3 

GALLUCCIO A. - Editoriale. 

BONARDI L. - La cause climatiche del maximum glaciale del periodo 1815-1820 nelle Alpi lombarde: un' ipotesi 

qualitativa. 

HOMLUND P.- Ghiacciai in Scandinavia-Glaciers in Scandinavia. 

SECCHIERI F.-La situazione del glacialismo in Val Martello (Ortles-Cevedale) nel 1999. 

COLA G., GALLUCCIO A. - Ottobre 1999: il crollo della fronte pensile del Ghiacciaio del Palon de la Mare (Ortles- 

Cevedale lombardo). 

CATASTA G.- Ghiacciaio di Fellaria Ovest (Bernina italiano); evoluzione del "calderone del ghiacciaio". 

GALLUCCIO A., ALMASIO A., BONETTI L., BONARDI L., D'ADDA S., COLA G., BUTTI M, LONARDO C., ELLI 

G., MERALDI E., 

BERBENNI F. (a cura del Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo e del Centro Nivo-meteorologico Regionale di Bormio) 

- Anno idrologico 1998-1999; nota nivo-meteorologica nelle Alpi Centrali italiane. 

SERVIZIO GLACIOLOGICO LOMBARDO - Campagna Glaciologica 1999, settore Alpi Centrali Italiane. 

SERVIZIO GLACIOLOGICO ALTO ADIGE (C.A.I) (a cura di F.Secchieri - Campagna glaciologica 1999, settore 

Alto Adige. 

ITINERARIO DI VISITA N°1.2000: Un Rock glaciers francese (M.Lojacono). 

ANNO 1998 - Eventi e Bibliografia (Rassegna Glaciologica Internazionale a cura di C.Smiraglia)

ANNO II-N°2 

ARZUFFI A.- Editoriale. 

SMIRAGLIA C. - Peculiarità della glaciologia antartica. 

CATASTA G. - Un "calderone del ghiacciaio" in Valmalenco. 

D'ADDA S. - Il glacialismo attuale in Val Seriana (Alpi Orobie). 

BELLET A., DE MARTIN F., TRADA L. - Terra glacialis....al "finis terrae" Patagonia celebrativa: il Ghiacciaio Perito 

Moreno. 

GALLUCCIO A., BONARDI L., D'ADDA S., COLA G., BONETTI L. et alii (a cura del Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo 

e del Centro Nivo-meteorologico Regionale di Bormio) - Anno idrologico 1997-1998; nota nivo-meteorologica 

nelle Alpi Centrali italiane. 

SERVIZIO GLACIOLOGICO LOMBARDO (autori vari) - Campagna Glaciologica 1998, settore Alpi Centrali Italiane. 

SERVIZIO GLACIOLOGICO ALTO ADIGE (C.A.I) (a cura di F.Secchieri) - Campagna glaciologica 1998 , settore 

Alto Adige. 

HAGERDON H. & SAMUEL-ECKERLE E.- Le recenti oscillazioni dei ghiacciai tedeschi. 

KAPPENBERGER G., KERKMANN J. - Il tempo in Montagna (manuale di meteorologia alpina) (Recensione a 

cura di G.Elli). 

ANNO 1998 - Eventi e Bibliografia (Rassegna Glaciologica Internazionale a cura di C.Smiraglia) 

ITINERARIO DI VISITA N°1.99: Al Pizzo del Diavolo di Malgina (S.D'Adda). 

ITINERARIO DI VISITA N°2.99: Il Lago Argentino e il Ghiacciaio Perito Moreno (A.Bellet, F.De Martin, L.Trada). 

ABSTRACT

ANNO I -N°1 

BONARDI L. - Premessa. 

GALLUCCIO A.- Editoriale. 

REYNARD E. - Bisses, ghiacciai e rock glacier nella valle superiore del Rodano (Vallese, Svizzera). 

LONARDO C., ELLI G., CROTTOGINI M., GRAZZI-LONARDO G. - I crolli frontali del Ghiacciaio di Rasica 

Est(1995). 

GALLUCCIO A., MAINARDI G., COLA G., D'ADDA S., BUTTI M., BONARDI L., BONETTI L. - Condizioni nivometeorologiche 

della media e alta quota alpina, settore Alpi Centrali italiane, anno idrologico 1996-1997. 

SERVIZIO GLACIOLOGICO LOMBARDO (Commissione Scientifica-autori vari) - Campagna Glaciologica 1997, 

settore Alpi Centrali Italiane. 

SMIRAGLIA C. - (a cura di, autori vari) La rete dei bilanci di massa sui ghiacciai delle Alpi Lombarde:risultati 

dell'anno idrologico 1996-1997 

SECCHIERI F. (a cura di, SERVIZIO GLACIOLOGICO ALTO ADIGE DEL C.A.I) - La campagna glaciologica 1997 

in Alto Adige. 

GALLUCCIO A.- I nuovi laghi proglaciali lombardi. 

D.I. BENN & D.J.A. EVAN - Glacier and Glaciation (recensione a cura di C.Smiraglia) 

ANNO 1997-Eventi e Bibliografia (Rassegna Glaciologica Internazionale a cura di C.Smiraglia) 

ITINERARIO DI VISITA N°1.98: Ai seracchi mobili del ghiacciaio di Rasica Est (C.Lonardo). 

ITINERARIO DI VISITA N°2.98: Al Lago Superiore dei Castelli (A.Galluccio).

Suretta Sud Glacier - Servizio Glaciologico Lombardo

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