Shocking evidence of global warming in the Cairngorms
The UK's longest-lasting patch of snow in the Cairngorms has melted for the fourth year in a row for the first time in recorded history - due to the changing climate, reports Elizabeth Hunter.
The Sphinx on Braeriach has only melted 11 times since its discovery in the 1840s - with eight occurring in the 21st century alone.
Left over from the last ice age, the Sphinx sits on the Garbh Chioch Mor ridge on the UK's third-highest mountain, named for the rocks that create its shape.
Citizen scientist Iain Cameron, from Stirlingshire, has been studying the patch for 20 years, shared his concern on social media.
"The Sphinx will melt in the early hours of tomorrow morning, meaning that's the fourth consecutive year it has done so," said the 51-year-old said in a post.
“This patch was once considered permanent. We are now in an era when its survival will be the exception. A 180° turn in a little over 20 years."
The patch melted three times in the 20th century; in 1933, 1959 and in 1996 - but has never melted for four years in a row in the 200 years records have been kept.Iain, who has seen the patch measure as large as 50m in previous years, fears for the longevity of the Sphinx as the climate continues to change.
“I have little doubt the climate is changing and it seems very likely this is affecting the patch.
“We always hear about glaciers melting in Greenland but Brits don’t always see the effects of that.
“This is the UK’s closest thing to those big events on the continent but in some ways it’s just as important."
