Published
Video duration:
1 minute
Between 2021 and 2023, Mont Blanc lost 2.22 meters in altitude, announced scientists who climbed the summit to measure it, Thursday October 5. However, nothing indicates that this loss is linked to global warming. The official altitude for 2023 is 4,805.59 meters.
Mont Blanc is the highest point in the Alps. Since 2001, every two years, scientists and surveyors have climbed the summit to measure its altitude. And the official figure for 2023 is 4,805.59 meters, scientists announced on Thursday October 5. 22 scientists, surveyors and experts left accompanied by high mountain guides to install different measurement techniques: GPS sensors, drones… The tools are becoming more sophisticated and precise.
An altitude that varies over the years
The measurement of 4,807 meters learned at school dates from 1863, but the altitude of Mont Blanc varies over the years. He mesured 4,810.40 meters in 2001, then its altitude went down, up and down, and so on. With 4,805.59 meters this year, Mont Blanc measures exactly 2.22 meters less than in 2021. “You have to imagine that Mont Blanc is like a sand dune, but made of snow, and therefore it fluctuates depending on the winds”explains Farouk Kaddedsurveying engineer. Nothing indicates today that the 2.22 meters lost are linked to global warming.