Switzerland, Italy Redraw Border Due to Glacier Melting

Switzerland and Italy have officially redrawn part of their border as a result of melting glaciers, a phenomenon driven by climate change that has historically marked the countries' shared boundaries.

The adjustment comes as the retreating glaciers—once the defining geographic markers between the two nations—continue to shrink, altering the landscape.

According to a statement from the Swiss government, much of the border is traditionally defined by watershed areas or the ridgelines of glaciers and permanent snow fields.

However, these natural formations are changing due to the rapid melting of glaciers, particularly in the region of the Matterhorn.

One notable example is the "Theodul Glacier," located beneath the famous Matterhorn Mountain. Between 1973 and 2010, the glacier lost nearly a quarter of its mass.

This erosion exposed underlying rock formations that were once covered by ice, prompting the need for a redefined watershed. As a result, Switzerland and Italy were forced to redraw approximately 100 meters of their shared border.

The two countries have agreed to adjust the border around key landmarks, including the Testa Grigia, the Rosa Plateau, Rifugio Carrel, and the Joba di Rollin. Once the changes are finalized and signed by both nations, the detailed amendments will be published.

Switzerland's national mapping agency, "Swisstopo," oversees the management of approximately 7,000 border markers that define the country’s 1,935-kilometer boundary with neighboring countries, including Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Liechtenstein.

The agency explained that such boundary adjustments are common and are typically settled through the comparative readings of surveyors from the neighboring nations, without involving political leaders.

The accelerated melting of Swiss glaciers has become a serious concern. Between 2021 and 2023 alone, glaciers lost around 10% of their mass, particularly affecting those in the eastern and southern regions, including the Matterhorn area.

Similarly, Italy has also experienced significant glacier loss, with the Dosdè Glacier in the Italian Alps shrinking by seven meters in the past year.