Melting glaciers in the Alps shift border between Switzerland and Italy

By Alimat Aliyeva

American scientists from Columbia University have concluded that the section of the state border between Italy and Switzerland in the Alps has shifted due to the melting of mountain glaciers, Azernews reports.

This concerns the glaciers on the Matterhorn Peak, one of the highest peaks in the Alps. For decades, these glaciers have served as a natural border between the two countries. However, in recent years, the melting ice has shifted towards Italy, primarily due to global warming.

To address this issue, Italy and Switzerland have agreed to adjust their state border to reflect the new natural landscape.

Scientists note that while territorial concerns no longer preoccupy the residents of both countries, there are growing fears about the broader impacts of climate change. The melting of permafrost and the loss of snow cover are causing more frequent landslides, which pose significant risks to people living in mountainous areas.

This recent shift is not the first time Alpine countries have had to redraw their borders due to changing natural features. In 2006, Italy and Austria signed a movable border agreement, allowing for adjustments to the border to account for the changing locations of snowfields and glaciers that were once considered stable.

The issue of shifting natural borders highlights the increasingly visible impacts of climate change on geopolitical and environmental landscapes. As glaciers continue to recede, other countries with territorial disputes based on natural features may also face similar challenges. This could lead to further international collaborations and agreements aimed at managing these changes in a fair and sustainable way.