Since 1977, researchers have been tracking changes in the Southern Alps' snowline by photographing 50 "index" glaciers during annual fly-overs. That was the equivalent to the basic daily water use requirements of our current population for that whole period. In a new study, scientists have used observations from New Zealand's largest glacier, the Tasman, to extend the record back as far as 1949. "Our glaciers and snowfields are like water tanks, providing river flow in times when there is little rainfall." While Niwa's most recent aerial stocktake has found the glaciers fared better than expected last summer, the long-term prognosis for the icy wonders remains dire.

Source: New Zealand Herald July 08, 2021 00:22 UTC