The Pasterze Glacier, Austria
Located on the northern side of the Grossglockner, the highest peak in Austria, the Pasterze Glacier is the longest glacier in the country and in the Eastern Alps. Situated in the Hohe Tauern mountain range and spanning around 15 km2 in area, the glacier is a stunning natural wonder, attracting hikers, climbers, and tourists to experience its awe-inspiring ice formations and dramatic alpine landscapes. The glacier plays an important role in the local ecosystem, feeding several rivers and contributing to the region's water supply. However, like many glaciers around the world, the Pasterze Glacier has been retreating in recent decades due to climate change.
This image, acquired by one of the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellites on 31 July 2024, shows the Pasterze Glacier from above.
The data delivered by the Copernicus Sentinel satellites enables reliable monitoring of glaciers around the world, including changes in size, ice thickness, and movement.
