Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3393
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3393
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
11 Aug 2026
| 11 Aug 2026
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for The Cryosphere (TC).
Brief communication: Ice older than a century at Triglav Glacier and Skuta Glacier – isotopic characteristics of glacier remains in Southeastern Alps, Slovenia
Abstract. The Triglav Glacier and Skuta Glacier are the last remaining, although disappearing, surface ice masses in Slovenia. Based on environmental tracer profiles, the ice between 0–100 cm predates the 1960s at Triglav, suggesting negative net accumulation since the early 1960s. Ice below 1 m is older than 70 years. Skuta Glacier shows similar patterns, though deeper layers are affected by percolation water. Skuta Glacier shows relatively stable deposition (~5.5 cm/year) from the 1860s to 1960s, while Triglav Glacier had lower and declining rates (3.8 cm/year before 1900, dropping to 2.1 cm/year by the 1960s).
How to cite. Palcsu, L., Temovski, M., Vargas, D., Nigro, M., Henrich, C., Vystavna, Y., Zorn, M., Lipar, M., Pavšek, M., Tičar, J., Žagar, K., and Vreča, P.: Brief communication: Ice older than a century at Triglav Glacier and Skuta Glacier – isotopic characteristics of glacier remains in Southeastern Alps, Slovenia, EGUsphere [preprint], https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-3393, 2026.
Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
Download & links
- Preprint
(1177 KB) - Metadata XML
-
Supplement
(1818 KB) - BibTeX
- EndNote
Status: open (until 22 Sep 2026)
Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor
| : Report abuse
László Palcsu
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Isotope Climatology and Environmental Research Group, HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research (ATOMKI), Debrecen, Hungary
Marjan Temovski
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Isotope Climatology and Environmental Research Group, HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research (ATOMKI), Debrecen, Hungary
Department of Mineralogy and Geology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
Danny Vargas
Isotope Climatology and Environmental Research Group, HUN-REN Institute for Nuclear Research (ATOMKI), Debrecen, Hungary
Matteo Nigro
Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment and Forestry, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy
Christoph Henrich
Department of Technical Cooperation, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna, Austria
Yuliya Vystavna
Isotope Hydrology Section, Division of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna International Centre, Vienna, Austria
Matija Zorn
Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Matej Lipar
Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Miha Pavšek
Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Jure Tičar
Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Klara Žagar
Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Polona Vreča
Department of Environmental Sciences, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Short summary
The last two glaciers in Slovenia are just disappearing. In 2023, ice cores were taken from Triglav and Skuta Glacier to determine, as a first and maybe the last attempt, the age of ice. At Triglav, the net accumulation is negative since the early 1960s, while ice below 1 m is older than 70 years. Skuta Glacier shows similar patterns. Today, Triglav Glacier has nearly disappeared and Skuta Glacier continues to shrink despite its more sheltered location.
The last two glaciers in Slovenia are just disappearing. In 2023, ice cores were taken from...