In June 2021, an international team recovered two ice cores more than 80 metres deep from Colle Gnifetti in the Monte Rosa massif. The cores preserve a remarkable record of Alpine climate history spanning up to 10,000 years.
Objectives and key results
Number of ice cores drilled: 2 Drilling depth: Over 80 m Climate record retrieved: Up to 10,000 years
In June 2021, two deep ice cores were successfully extracted from the Colle Gnifetti site on Monte Rosa, one of the most scientifically significant high-altitude drilling locations in the Alps.
These cores contain an exceptional archive spanning nearly 10 millennia of climate history.
Why this site?
Colle Gnifetti, located on the Monte Rosa massif, is part of the Gorner Glacier system — the second largest glacier in the Alps.
Key characteristics of the glacier:
Surface area: about 40 km²
Elevation range: 2,190 m to 4,600 m
Estimated volume (2017): 4.9 km³
Approximately 40% area loss since the mid-1800s
Glacier front retreat of about 3.3 km
Colle Gnifetti is renowned for preserving long-term atmospheric records due to its high altitude and low accumulation rate, making it one of the most valuable Alpine paleoclimate archives.
The site provides rare access to a continuous climate record extending back up to 10,000 years — covering the transition from the last glacial period to the present.
The expedition
Period: June 2021 Conditions: Strong winds and snowfall
Despite harsh alpine weather — including strong gusts of wind and snow — the team successfully completed the drilling operations.
As Carlo Barbante, Director of CNR-ISP and Professor at Ca’ Foscari University, stated:
“The mission was a success: the team obtained two ice cores over 80m deep from a very important site, which contains information on the climate of the last ten thousand years. The team worked well despite the harsh weather conditions. Now this precious archive of the climate history of the Alps will be preserved for the future.”
The team
The international team included:
Margit Schwikowski, Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI)
Theo Jenk (Team Leader), PSI
François Burgay, PSI
Jacopo Gabrieli, CNR / Ca’ Foscari University
Fabrizio De Blasi, CNR / Ca’ Foscari University
Andrea Spolaor, CNR / Ca’ Foscari University
Paolo Conz, Mountain Guide
Sabine Harbeke, ZHdK (PolARTS Project)
Riccardo Selvatico, Videomaker
Scientific and heritage value
The Colle Gnifetti cores represent one of the longest Alpine climate records available.
Their extraction contributes to Ice Memory’s broader objective: securing endangered glacial archives before irreversible loss.
These cores provide critical data for understanding long-term climate variability, atmospheric composition, and environmental change in Europe.
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