Read more at The Guardian

• Imminent Disappearance: Massive glaciers in California’s Sierra Nevada are projected to melt away completely by the beginning of the next century, leading to ice-free peaks for the first time in human history.
• Ancient History Revealed: New research shows these glaciers are much older than previously known, with some dating back as far as the last ice age (tens of thousands of years).
• Unprecedented Loss: The projected melting means the Sierra Nevada will be glacier-free for the first time since the known peopling of the Americas (approximately 20,000 years ago).
• Global Context: This event reflects the broader climate crisis, as a separate study found that nearly 40% of glaciers worldwide are “doomed to melt” due to current global heating trends.
• Ecological and Symbolic Impact: The disappearance of these iconic features of the American West has ecological implications for local plants and animals and serves as a tangible, dramatic symbol of the effects of climate change.
• Research Focus: The study specifically analyzed the Conness, Maclure, Lyell, and Palisade glaciers, treating their longevity and eventual disappearance as “bellwethers” for glacier loss across the American West.