Lys glacier, Alpine glacier in Monte Rosa massif, Italy
Lys glacier is a large expanse of ice on the southern slopes of the Monte Rosa massif, covering an area that descends steeply through crevassed terrain. The ice mass has a distinctive shape with a narrow outlet where meltwater collects in newly formed basins at its base.
The glacier formed during the ice ages and reached its current form over millennia of accumulation and flow. Beginning in the 1800s, it underwent a steady decline that continues to the present day, marking the shift toward warmer conditions in the Alps.
Scientists regularly monitor this glacier to document climate changes, collecting data that contributes to understanding environmental transformations in the Alpine region.
Access is available through established trails in the Aosta Valley, where mountaineers can choose from several climbing routes. Visitors should prepare for difficult terrain, harsh weather conditions, and the hazards typical of glaciated areas.
Several meltwater lakes have appeared at its lower end over recent decades, growing progressively larger. These new water bodies visibly mark where the ice once extended and reveal the pace of change.
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