Call it shrinkage in Seattle.
Scientists have warned that Washington state’s towering Mount Rainier has lost nearly ten feet in height.
The main focus of the mountain and horizon, known for its peculiar cloud shapes Known as UFO flying saucerDecreased from its previous size of 14,410 feet to 14,399.6 feet above sea level, The Seattle Times reported,
“It’s that perfect,” Eric Gilbertson, the climber who made the discovery after climbing in August and September, told the outlet.
“Down to the nearest inch.”
The mountain’s new beauty comes from the melting of glacial ice on its highest peak – a stark contrast to recent scientific reports. Mount Everest is still rising,
The United States Geological Survey will look further into Gilbertson’s readings.
Maury Pelto, a researcher who has been tracking the frozen mountains since 1984, also warned that the state’s high glaciers are losing 40% of their volume.
“We will still have mountains; We’ll still have winter snowfall,” he said, adding that glacier volumes are decreasing around the Northwest, including California, and even globally in Europe.
“But without glaciers, you’ve lost a vital mobility, and the mountains will be the poorer for it.”
As for why, guide Justin Sackett says the climbing season, which typically runs from April to September, has ended early in recent years because of the danger of claims in hot conditions.
Particularly in the Cascade Range north of Mount Rainier, the future is also looking flat.
“There aren’t very many glaciers in the North Cascades that can survive the next 30 years,” Pelto said.
