#ticinomoments 2024

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10 <strong>#ticinomoments</strong> Why are glaciers measured? Mattia: Measurements provide us with information that tells us how the landscape is evolving. The glacier could be described as a climate change litmus paper, a tangible sign of how the climate is changing rapidly. How are glaciers measured? Mattia: The measurements of the front are performed once a year, always between August and September. Using a high-precision GPS device, I make my way along the front of the glacier, that is to say at its lowest part, and around every twenty metres I measure a point to obtain a line; the front line. This is then compared to last year’s measurement, showing us how the length of the glacier has changed. Giovanni: Meanwhile, I monitor the glacier’s mass balance. This measurement, which takes place at various points on the glacier in April and September, makes it possible to quantify the variation in a glacier’s mass in metres of water equivalent. Apart from the Basòdino, are there other glaciers in Ticino? Mattia: Of course. The Basòdino glacier is one of Ticino’s largest glaciers and was the first to be measured back in 1892. However, there is also the Vadrecc di Bresciana (Blenio Valley), the Valleggia and Corno (Bedretto Valley), the Tencia glacier (Leventina Valley), which is little more than a patch of ice today, and the Cavagnoli (Maggia Valley), which will probably disappear completely in a few years. So Ticino’s glaciers are also retreating. What kind of state are they in? Giovanni: Not a great one and the current climate isn’t helping. They have a fairly slow reaction time and huge amounts of energy are needed to melt the ice and make it disappear. Just think, for example, how many hours it takes to defrost a freezer by unplugging it and leaving the door open. Mattia: In actual fact, we’re not measuring real glaciers in Ticino these days. They no longer have a glacial dynamic. But there are still some frozen surfaces, we are monitoring their retreat. We are seeing less and less snow on the ice when performing the measurements. And snow is essential for glaciers to exist. What surprises you most during your measurements? Mattia: Although the reaction time is slow, the speed of the retreat is considerable. For example, two years ago some islands of rock emerged out of the Basòdino glacier: last year only a small part protruded, while this year two metres of rock emerged from the ice. Giovanni: I agree. Given that we cross over them when mountaineering, we are also seeing a change in the glacier itself. There are more crevasses, the ice is breaking up more. We have to get used to these changes, it is a challenge to which we will inevitably have to adapt. Is there any way to limit the retreat of the glaciers? Giovanni: Not at the moment. In some Swiss regions, particularly in tourist and skiing areas, they have used tarpaulins (just to delay their disappearance), but these are only temporary solutions that do not solve the problem. The retreat of the Basòdino glacier is also creating new landscapes… Mattia: Absolutely. I observe this when taking measurements: where there was once ice there are now little flowers and new plants. When making your way down from the Basòdino today you come across wonderful, luxuriant vegetation. The spaces vacated by the glacier are being colonised. Giovanni: Nature lives on and presents itself in other forms. I remember that where there was ice on a glacier in Engadine fifty years ago there are now trees with a 30-cm trunk. However, their dramatic retreat and imminent disappearance should make us reflect on the cause: global warming for which we are jointly responsible. Is there anything particularly surprising? Giovanni: Where there were once glaciers we will soon have lots of little alpine lakes. I was also able to observe another surprising scenario in the Bedretto Valley (on the Geren Pass), where a glacier is turning into a lake and “icebergs” have emerged from it! Glaciers continue to surprise me. Mattia (laughs): There’s definitely good news for crystal enthusiasts. They will be easier to find as the glaciers retreat. Basòdino glaciological trail Running along the side of the Basòdino glacier, the highest in Canton Ticino, this medium-difficulty route allows you to explore the local natural landscape. A series of information boards along the way provide useful details about the flora, fauna, geology and hydrology of the area around the glacier. (ticino.ch/basodinotrail) 01 02
DISCOVER — BASÒDINO 11 GLACIER MINI GLOSSARY Front of the glacier The front is the lower edge of the tongue, to which the glacier length and regression measurements refer. Glacial lakes The meltwater can form lakes at the front or sides of the glacier (proglacial lakes), on the surface of the glacier (epiglacial) or inside the glacier (endoglacial). Crevasses These are cracks in the ice and can be transverse, longitudinal or terminal. Seracs These are blocks of ice separated by large crevasses, formed due to a marked increase in the angle and speed of the glacier. 03 01. Discovering the glacier on the snowy slopes of the Upper Maggia Valley. 02. With a surface area of 1.6 km 2 , the Basòdino glacier is the largest in Ticino. 03. Mattia and Giovanni often work together to perform measurements on the Basòdino glacier. 04. The various measurements are made at least once a year, usually between April and September. Moraines Moving ice carries rocky debris with it, which is deposited at the sides and in front of the ice, giving rise to moraines. 04 TO THE VIDEO
Page 1 and 2: Tales from Switzerland’s Sunny So
Page 3 and 4: EDITORIAL 3 An exchange of ideas be
Page 5 and 6: CONTENTS 5 6 Exploring the past on
Page 7 and 8: DISCOVER — TICINO 7 DISCOVERING T
Page 9: DISCOVER — BASÒDINO 9 SCALING TH
Page 13 and 14: 13 10-15 m THE ESTIMATED THICKNESS
Page 15 and 16: 15 TICINO.CH/FOIL TENERO, LAKE MAGG
Page 17 and 18: 17 5 REASONS WHY IT’S WORTH IT Th
Page 19 and 20: LEARN — OLIVONE 19 A LABORATORY I
Page 21 and 22: 21 Alpine Institute, Olivone A scho
Page 23 and 24: Piumogna Valley.
Page 25 and 26: 25 A SENSORY EXPERIENCE ON TWO WHEE
Page 27 and 28: 27 HEARING 8 AUDIO GUIDES A narrato
Page 29 and 30: MARVEL — ROVIO 29 ROVIO In Rovio,
Page 31 and 32: MARVEL — ROVIO 31 CasaGalleria.AR
Page 33 and 34: 33 TICINO.CH/ENOTOURISM MENDRISIOTT
Page 35 and 36: Coldrerio, Tenuta Vitivinicola Trap
Page 37 and 38: SAVOUR — PARADISO 37 WHEN HOSPITA
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Page 41 and 42: 41 1,600 PRODUCTS CERTIFIED WITH TH
Page 43 and 44: Rocked by the waves with a view ove
Page 46 and 47: 46 #ticinomoments WHEN DOLCE VITA A
Page 48 and 49: 48 #ticinomoments Experience Ticino
Page 50 and 51: 50 COLUMN True beauty Ticino’s ar
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