Brandon Keim
Science

Kilimanjaro Glaciers Not Ready to Disappear

The famous ice fields of Mt. Kilimanjaro, thought to have but a few years left before they melt forever, may last for decades, say scientists. Precipitation and not temperature is the key to the white peak’s future, the University of Innsbruck-led team says. “About five years ago Kilimanjaro was being used as an icon for […]

Kilimanjaro
The famous ice fields of Mt. Kilimanjaro, thought to have but a few years left before they melt forever, may last for decades, say scientists.

Precipitation and not temperature is the key to the white peak’s future, the University of Innsbruck-led team says.

“About five years ago Kilimanjaro was being used as an icon for global warming. We know now that this was far too simplistic a view,” said Thomas Moelg.

“We have done different kinds of modelling and we expect the plateau glaciers to be gone roughly within 30 or 40 years from now, but we have a certain expectation that the slope glaciers may last longer,” added colleague Georg Kaser.

Kilimanjaro’s ice set to linger [BBC]