High in the Cilo Mountains of southeastern Türkiye, ancient glaciers that have stood for over 20,000 years are rapidly disappearing due to climate change. These glaciers, located at 4,135 meters above sea level, are a natural wonder, but their survival is at risk. Scientists are urging immediate action to protect the glaciers from further damage, with some suggesting that the area should be fully closed to visitors to prevent further harm.

Rapid Glacial Decline and Internal Damage

Over the past three decades, the glaciers have been shrinking at an alarming rate. Professor Faruk Alaeddinoğlu, a climate expert from Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, states that the glaciers have lost over 55% of their surface area. In the past, the ice layers were 200 meters deep. Today, much of the ice has thinned dramatically, leaving less than 50 meters of solid glacial ice remaining.

“Major melting has occurred inside the glaciers,” says Alaeddinoğlu. “Cracks, channels, and tunnels have formed, causing significant degradation of the remaining ice.” The high-altitude temperatures, which fluctuate dramatically between day and night, are accelerating the melting process even further. The situation is so severe that much of the ice that once was solid is now unstable and unable to hold its form.

The Clock is Ticking: Just 20 Years to Save the Glaciers

Alaeddinoğlu warns that if no protective measures are implemented, these glaciers could completely disappear within the next two decades. He describes the glaciers as “natural wonders and geological witnesses of Anatolia’s history” and stresses the need to protect them before it’s too late.

In 2020, the region was designated as a national park to help preserve the area, but despite this protection, the glaciers continue to attract hikers and tourists. The professor believes this ongoing visitation is contributing to the rapid deterioration. He suggests that in order to slow down the process, the area must be closed to visitors. He recommends that people should be limited to viewing the glaciers from a distance. Additionally, he proposes covering the glaciers with protective material to reduce exposure to the elements and help prevent further melting.

A Global Crisis of Glacial Loss

The situation in Türkiye is not isolated. Around the world, glaciers are disappearing at an alarming rate due to climate change. The World Glacier Monitoring Service reports that since 1975, glaciers worldwide have lost an estimated 9,000 billion tonnes of ice. This loss is equivalent to a block of ice the size of Germany, with a thickness of 25 meters.

The recent report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) highlights the severity of the problem. The period between 2022 and 2024 has been recorded as the worst three-year period for glacier loss in history. Seven out of the ten most severe years for glacier loss have occurred since 2016. This rapid loss of glaciers is contributing to various environmental crises, including flooding, water shortages, and rising sea levels.

Celeste Saulo, the Secretary-General of the WMO, warns that the consequences of continued glacier loss are far-reaching. “Glacier preservation is not just an environmental or economic need,” she says. “It’s a matter of survival.” The loss of glaciers is contributing to rising sea levels, which threaten coastal communities and ecosystems worldwide. Additionally, glaciers are a critical source of fresh water for millions of people. As they disappear, communities that rely on glacial meltwater are facing severe water shortages.

A Call for Global Action

Experts agree that immediate and decisive action is required to protect glaciers from further harm. In Türkiye, the local government has yet to implement stricter regulations for the Cilo Mountain region. While the national park status was a step in the right direction, many believe it is not enough to halt the glaciers’ decline. The park’s popularity with tourists, especially hikers and nature enthusiasts, continues to pose a significant threat to the area’s delicate ecosystem.

Professor Alaeddinoğlu’s call to close the area to visitors is one of several proposed solutions. Other suggestions include limiting human activity in glacial regions and implementing restoration efforts, such as artificial snow generation and glacier covers. However, these measures would require significant resources and a long-term commitment from both the government and environmental organizations.

The glacial loss in Türkiye serves as a reminder of the broader environmental crisis that is affecting the planet. Around the world, glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates, and the consequences of this are becoming increasingly severe. Rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and disruptions to water resources are all linked to the disappearance of glaciers. As global temperatures continue to rise, it is clear that more aggressive measures are needed to protect the world’s glaciers and the ecosystems that depend on them.

The Urgency of Climate Action

The rapid disappearance of the Cilo Mountains’ glaciers highlights the urgent need for global climate action. As temperatures continue to rise, more glaciers will shrink and disappear, with devastating consequences for ecosystems and communities. Governments and organizations must work together to implement policies that will reduce carbon emissions, promote renewable energy, and protect natural resources.

While the situation in Türkiye may seem distant from many, it is part of a much larger global crisis. The fate of the glaciers in the Cilo Mountains mirrors the plight of glaciers around the world. If we do not take immediate action, we risk losing these invaluable natural wonders forever.