The Pasterze Glacier is the largest glacier in Austria and is located on the Grossglockner, the country’s highest mountain. Here are key details about the Pasterze Glacier:
- Location:
- The Pasterze Glacier is situated on the eastern side of the Grossglockner, which is part of the Hohe Tauern mountain range in the Austrian Alps. The glacier descends from the eastern flank of the Grossglockner.
- Grossglockner:
- The Grossglockner is the highest mountain in Austria, standing at an elevation of 3,798 meters (12,461 feet) above sea level. The Pasterze Glacier is part of the extended mass of ice and snow on the mountain.
- Glacier Characteristics:
- The Pasterze Glacier covers an area of approximately 16 square kilometers (6.2 square miles) and has a length of about 8 kilometers (5 miles). It is a valley glacier, flowing down a steep mountain valley.
- Climate Change Impact:
- Like many glaciers around the world, the Pasterze Glacier has been affected by climate change. It has experienced significant retreat in recent decades, with the terminus moving uphill. The retreat is attributed to rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns.
- Accessible Viewing:
- The Pasterze Glacier is a popular tourist attraction, and visitors can access the glacier by driving on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road (Grossglockner Hochalpenstrasse). The road offers stunning views of the surrounding mountain landscape, including the glacier.
- Research Site:
- The glacier has also been a subject of scientific research related to glaciology and climate change. Glacial retreat and changes in the size and mass of glaciers provide valuable insights into the effects of global warming.
- Visitor Center:
- There is a visitor center, the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, located near the glacier where visitors can learn more about the Pasterze Glacier, its geological features, and the challenges it faces.
