Lander Van Tricht

Postdoctoral Scientist @ETH @VAW_glaciology @VUBrussel Contact via [email protected]

[Melaine Le Roy @subfossilguy]

Incredible last April drone footage of Morteratsch Glacier's ice cave! 🧊

Impressive collapse feature just behind! 🔥

Stay tuned for more tree ring research at this wonderful (but melting so fast) site soon! 🌲💍

📽️ by @LanderVanTricht

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

@subfossilguy Amazing here:)

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

From early next week, however, a marked cooling is expected, with snowfall from around 3,800 m. This could (largely) bring the melt season to a halt.

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

Unprecedented mass loss on the Tien Shan glaciers this year – will the Bordu Glacier drop below -2.5 m w.e.? Our mass balance model is still showing an exceptionally high rate of loss for this time of year.

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

This is driven by persistently high temperatures and a lack of snowfall in the Central Tien Shan. Satellite imagery confirms it: on many glaciers, there is no accumulation area left at all.

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

The 𝗗𝗮𝘃𝘆𝗱𝗼𝘃 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗿 is more than ice, it’s a case study of how human activity + climate shape our future.

Curious? Dive into our full study https://t.co/VGZuEke7LR
Or reach out, happy to discuss!

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

📢 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿! ❄️🇰🇬
We modeled the #𝗗𝗮𝘃𝘆𝗱𝗼𝘃 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗶��𝗿 (1850–2100) in #Kyrgyzstan.
Not just another glacier (>200,000 exist worldwide) — this one is special.
👉 Why? Stay tuned.
👉 Full paper: https://t.co/VGZuEkdzWj

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

What we studied: With our 3D glacier model, we tested:
🔹 Past & present impact of mining
🔹 Future retreat if mining stops
🔹 How long until mine shafts flood without pumping
🔹 Hypothetical regrowth if we returned to 1850 climate

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

@david_belay @LanderVanTricht These ones are taken by a DJI Phantom 4 RTK :)

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

🚨 Abstract submission deadline for #EGU25 is approaching! 🚨
🌍❄️Our session welcomes research on glacier changes, past, present & future, using field data, remote sensing & modelling
🏔️ Join us & share your latest insights!
🔗 Submit here: https://t.co/YJCVuqNQuJ

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

Very little snow at the moment in the Central #TienShan (Kyrgyzstan). Mass balance is very low for the time of the year at #Bordu glacier. However, mass balance is mainly dependent on what happens between April and August.

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

📢 Excited to share our #EGU25 session CR1.1: "Glaciers & Ice Caps under Climate Change" 🌍❄️! Join us in Vienna (27 Apr–2 May 2025) to explore glacier changes via fieldwork, remote sensing, & modelling.
📝 Abstracts due: 15 Jan 2025 🔗 Submit here: https://t.co/YJCVuqNiFb

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

The front of the #Morteratsch #glacier has changed dramatically over the past 2 years. On the left, a glacier cave (glacial portal) has formed where a subglacial river emerges. Notice also the massive cliff in the central part, where the front is aligned with a former #moulin.

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

Final temperature and precipitation data are in. The mass balance season of 2023/24 ended for #Bordu #glacier in #Kyrgyzstan with a record negative value of -1.66 m w.e. The glacier is representative for the Central #TienShan mountains.

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

First day on Pers glacier today. The ice is falling apart, right in front of our eyes. Again strong melt this year.

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

Warm days late in September have caused some additional melt for glaciers in #Kyrgyzstan. This means we are still not at the minimum for the 2023/24 balance year (that ends 30 September). Strong cooling is expected from 28th September onwards according to weather forecasts.

[Lander Van Tricht @lander_vt]

Glacier mass balance measurements on #Claridenfirn today. Beautifull arctic conditions with 30 cm of (fresh) snow. But (again) a large ice loss unfortunately last year.

[Melaine Le Roy @subfossilguy]

Konkordia ice loss (Aletsch Glacier)
2022 | 2023 | 2024

Thickness loss at the thickest ice in the Alps! 🔥
Last two years were record breaking... 🌡️

What do you think of the protective effect of the thickest snowpack in 25 years? 😅

Data/pic @matthias_huss @glamos_ch