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Sierra Nevada Glaciers Face Total Meltdown This Century

10/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Sierra Nevada glaciers have existed since the last Ice Age, over 11,000 years.
They are retreating rapidly, with projections of complete melting this century due to warming.
The East Lyell glacier has lost about 95% of its volume since the late 1800s.
A 3.6°F rise in summer temperatures over the last century underpins calls to cut emissions to preserve glaciers.

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Story summary

Sierra Nevada glaciers have existed since the last Ice Age, over 11,000 years.
They are retreating rapidly, with projections of complete melting this century due to warming.
The East Lyell glacier has lost about 95% of its volume since the late 1800s.
A 3.6°F rise in summer temperatures over the last century underpins calls to cut emissions to preserve glaciers.