France - Alps

Europe's tallest peak is shrinking

Article published on the 2009-11-05 Latest update 2009-11-05 15:34 TU

Mont Blanc
(Photo: Steve Roe on flickr.com/wikimedia)

The highest peak in Europe, Mont Blanc in the Alps, is slowly shrinking according to an official survey. The new height of the mountain, which lies on the three-way border between France, Italy and Switzerland, is now 4,810,45 metres - 45 centimetres shorter than two years ago.

The survey also revealed that the volume of snow and ice coating the summit had dropped by about ten per cent. But experts say this is not directly linked to the effects of climate change.

An expedition to Mont Blanc, which included the mayor of French Winter Olympic candidate town Annecy, also found that the highest point on the mountain had shifted 26 metres closer to Italy, but still remained in France.

Maps, reference guides and school books are to be updated in line with the new measurements.