It has previously been said that the surface of the two glaciers in Jämtland county – Helags and Sylglaciären – has decreased by 30 percent in 100 years.
But the latest research results now show that the melting is even greater.
Both glaciers have actually shrunk by more than 40 percent.
- It is expected.
Glaciers are very sensitive to summer temperatures.
When we measure how glaciers are doing, we first measure how much snow they get in the winter and then how much of that snow and ice melts in the summer, says Gunhild Rosqvist, professor of natural geography and glacier researcher.
More snow doesn't help anymore
It's a balance, like a budget, she explains.
- But it doesn't matter today if there is a lot of snow.
It still melts away if the summer is hot, and we've had a lot of hot summers lately, so it still looks pretty dark.
Gunhild Rosqvist was formerly director of the Tarfala research station and has spent a lot of time following the development of the country's glaciers.
In the video, she tells more about the state of the world's glaciers, how people are affected and what it means.