In recent news, it has been reported that giant tarpaulin sheets, commonly referred to as tarps, are being sprawled across the Presena glacier situated in northern Italy. This is an attempt to inhibit the speed at which the glacier is melting, a phenomenon amplified by global warming. This initiative has its roots in a conservation project spearheaded by the Italian firm Carosello-Tonale. The project’s inception dates back to 2008 when a mere 30,000 sq metres of the glacier were covered.
Covering the Presena Glacier: An Annual Ritual
The conservation project involves deploying tarpaulin sheets over approximately 100,000 sq metres of the Presena glacier. Once the sheets cover the snow, they are sewn together. The entire operation involves about Rs. 34,091 tarpaulin sheets. To keep the sheets securely in place, bags of sand are employed as makeshift weights. The whole process stretches over a six-week period and is initiated annually after the ski season closes and the summer heat begins to intensify. Come September, the process of removing these protective sheets commences and continues for six months.
Understanding Tarpaulin Sheets
Tarpaulin is essentially a hefty sheet fashioned from robust, flexible, and water-resistant material. Often, the material is coated and created using plastics like polyethylene. One of the major advantages of Geotextile tarpaulin sheets lies in their ability to reflect sunlight, maintain a lower temperature than the surrounding environment, and conserve as much snow as they can. While similar glacier covering strategies are employed on some Austrian glaciers, the surface area covered by the tarpaulins is considerably smaller.
The Looming Threat to the Presena Glacier
Since 1993, the Presena glacier has witnessed a loss of more than one-third of its volume. There is a constant decrease in the glacier’s area, which has prompted efforts to cover as much of it as possible. Located between the regions of Trentino and Lombardy in Northern Italy, the Presena Glacier is part of the Presanella mountain group within the towering Alps. This natural environment boasts a high altitude.
Presena Glacier: A Unique Spot in Northern Italy
The Presena Glacier is nestled between the regions of Trentino and Lombardy in Northern Italy. This glacier forms a part of the Presanella mountain which is located in the Alps region. This area is known for its high altitude natural environment.