Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif

Glaciar de Aneto in 1984 was the largest of the Pyrenean glaciers with 1.32 square kilometers surface area. By 2005 it had shrunk to 0.73 square kilometres. The following cumulative length changes were reported for this glacier: 1946-1957: -130m, 1957-1983: -150m,1983-2000: -40m, 2000-2004: -120m, 2004-2005: -20m and 2005-2008: -20m (WGMS, data furnished by Guillermo Cobos Campos).

Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier on 9. September 2009 as seen from Pla de Aigualluts.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier on 28. August 2012 from Pla de Aigualluts. Note detachment of ice field in the centre.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Recession of Aneto glacier between 2009 and 2012.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier on 5/08/1985 as seen from Portellon Superior. Note Sahara dust deposited on old snow surfaces.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier on 12/08/2011 as seen from Portellon Superior.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Recession of Aneto glacier between 1985 and 2011.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier on 10/08/1990, looking downglacier. Note four climbers.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier on 12/08/2011, looking downglacier.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Recession of Aneto glacier between 1990 and 2011.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Traversing Aneto glacier on 3/08/1987.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Similar location on Aneto glacier on 12.08.2011. Note lowering of ice surface.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Recession of Aneto glacier between 1987 and 2011. Red dots mark identical rock features.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier on 22/08/1986 as seen from the summit of Punta Xènia (2936m). Note prominent moraines from the Little Ice Age in the loper art of the photo.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier on 07/08/2009 as seen from the summit of Punta Xènia (2936m). The red dot marks a fixed point common to both photos.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Recession of Aneto glacier between 1986 and 2009.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier's east lobe on 20/10/1985, below the highest summit of the Pyrenees, Pico de Aneto (3404m).
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier's east lobe on 09/09/2009; red dots mark identical locations.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Recession of Aneto glacier's east lobe between 1985 and 2009.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier from Pico Coronas (3293m) on 12/08/1987: Active flow is evident from the set of crevasses in the foreground. Note climbers en route to the summit of Pico de Aneto (3404m, highest Peak of the Pyrenees).
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier from Pico Coronas (3293m) on 08/07/2006: Recession has massively reduced the ice thickness. As a result there is much less flow and few crevasses remain. Again climbers are ascending Pico de Aneto.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Recession of Aneto glacier as seen from Pico Coronas between 1987 and 2006.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier from Pico de Aneto (3404m) on 05/08/1985. In the lower left corner the topmost part of Coronas glacier is visible.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Aneto glacier from Pico de Aneto (3404m) on 12/08/2005. Coronas glacier (lower left corner, partially hidden by dark shadow) has almost disappeared.
Glaciar de Aneto, Maladeta Massif
Recession of Aneto glacier as seen from Pico de Aneto between 1987 and 2006.
Photos by Jordi Camins, GELICEHIELO , jordi@camins.com