Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


250,000 Cubic Meters of Ice in Danger of Breaking Off Europe's Mont Blanc

Sabina Castelfranco

   ROME - Highlighting concerns about global warming, Italian authorities
   now fear that part of the glacier on Mont Blanc, Europe's highest
   mountain, is at risk of collapse.

   Experts have been monitoring the Planpicieux glacier on Mont Blanc for
   some time and concerns have been mounting in Italy that a section of
   the glacier is at risk of collapsing. They say recordings show the ice
   is sliding down at a speed of 50-60 centimeters a day. The mayor of the
   picturesque ski town of Courmayeur, Stefano Miserocchi, says at this
   rate the ice could break away in the month of October.

   The mayor called a meeting for concerned residents and announced safety
   measures that include closing a mountain road and banning access to
   part of the Val Ferret, a popular hiking area outside of Courmayeur on
   the southern side of Mont Blanc, part of which lies in France. He
   warned that the situation is becoming more dangerous.

.