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SOURCE: Independent

DATE: July 17, 2019

SNIP: A mountaineer has captured the formation of an “alarming” lake high in the French Alps after glacial snow melted in the intense heatwave that gripped central Europe in late June.

Bryan Mestre was shocked to discover the large pool of water at an altitude of 11,100ft (3,400m) in the Mount Blanc mountain range – claiming the unusual sight was a worrying sign.

Scientists have warned that heatwaves in Europe are becoming increasingly frequent, with the intense temperatures linked to climate change.

“Time to sound the alarm,” said Mr Mestre. “Only 10 days of extreme heat were enough to collapse, melt and form a lake at the base of the Dent du Géant and the Aiguilles Marbrées.”

He added: “This is truly alarming … glaciers all over the world are melting at an exponential speed.”

Data released by the satellite agency showed Europe’s average ​temperatures were more than 2C above normal, and temperatures were between 6C and 10C above normal over most of France, Germany and northern Spain during the final days of the month.