Photo: GettyAbout 13 million cubic metres of ice have been lost from the Brewster Glacier in Mt Aspiring National Park over the past four years, Niwa scientists have found. Climate scientist Dr Andrew Lorrey said the annual end-of-summer snowline survey showed it was equal to the basic drinking water requirements for all New Zealanders. However, the volume lost from Brewster Glacier is only a small part of the Southern Alps ice storage, which has been in decline since annual monitoring of the glaciers began in the late 1970s. In order to grow glaciers, the long-term permanent snowline must be below the mountain top so winter snow can be retained to form ice. In addition, ash from the Australian bushfires blanketed the Southern Alps ice, which absorbs more solar radiation and increases the potential for more melting.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 23, 2020 23:15 UTC