Italy and Switzerland are set to adjust part of their shared Alpine border due to the shifting of glaciers.
On Friday, the Swiss Federal Council approved the agreement, with Italy expected to ratify it soon. This adjustment will affect the area around the Matterhorn, including the Zermatt and Cervinia ski resorts, as glaciers in this region have melted and shifted the frontier.
The current border, which spans 359 miles (578 km), is defined by the watershed or ridge-lines of glaciers along 25 miles (40 km) of its length. As these glaciers shrink, the natural border evolves, requiring updates to match the new geography. Previous adjustments, such as in Furggsattel in 2000, moved the border by up to 150 meters.
The changes will primarily impact areas near Plateau Rosa, the Carrel refuge, and Gobba di Rollin, beneath the Matterhorn. Swiss authorities have noted that the new borders have been drawn to reflect the economic interests of both nations. Clarifying the boundary will also help define responsibilities for maintaining the affected areas.
Ski lodge on shifting Italy-Swiss border
Switzerland has reported significant glacier losses, with glaciers shrinking by 4% in 2023 following the record 6% melt in 2022. The Swiss Glacier Monitoring Network (Glamos) attributed the loss to consecutive warm summers and low winter snowfall. Researchers predict that if this trend continues, further adjustments may be necessary in the future.
The exact details of the new border will be made public once Italy signs the agreement, which is currently undergoing final approval.
