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Far in the state of Sierra mountain range, enormous glaciers are disappearing and projected to dissolve entirely by the beginning of the coming hundred years, leaving summits without glaciers for the initial occasion in human history, new research has discovered.

Ancient Origins of Sierra Range Glaciers

The range's glaciers are older than earlier understood, tracing back tens of thousands of years, with some as ancient as the most recent glacial period, according to a report released recently.

“Our pieced-together glacial history indicates that a coming ice-free Sierra Nevada is unprecedented in the history of humankind since documented peopling of the Americas ~20,000 years ago,” the study states.

Global Risk to Ice Formations

Glaciers around the world are at risk amid the climate emergency. A study published in May of this year determined that nearly 40% of glaciers are destined to melt because of global heating. If this warming rises by 2.7C, which the planet is presently on course for, as many as seventy-five percent will disappear, leading to ocean level increase and mass displacement.

Across the Western United States, glaciers have shrunk significantly since they were first documented in the late 19th century, according to the report.

Focus on Major Glaciers

The recent study centers on several Sierra Nevada glacial masses – the Palisade, Lyell, Maclure and Conness glaciers – that are some of the biggest and likely oldest in the range. Their durability during climate warming makes them “indicators” for studying glacier disappearance in the west, the article states.

Research Methods and Findings

Researchers looked at recently exposed base rock around the ice formations and took samples to determine how extensively the region was blanketed by ice. They determined that the ice masses have covered large areas of the mountain system for much longer than previously known – since prior to people occupied North America.

The state's glacial sheets reached their peak extents as early as 30,000 years ago, the article’s authors wrote, and a particular of the ice bodies experts looked at is believed to have grown 7,000 years ago, earlier than once thought. The loss of glaciers, for the first time in human history, demonstrates the profound impacts of the climate change, a researcher of the investigation said.

Ecological and Representational Consequences

“We’ll be the initial ones to see the ice-free peaks,” said Andrew Jones, the study’s lead author. “This has ecological ramifications for plants and animals. And it’s a symbolic loss. Climate change is highly intangible, but these ice masses are concrete. They’re iconic features of the Western U.S..”