Pasterze Hangs on as Austria’s Largest Glacier

One narrowing icefall remains the linchpin for the Alpine glacier—and it may not be long for this world. Pasterze Hangs on as Austria’s Largest Glacier. NASA Earth Observatory Aug 31, 2026 Article View more Images of the Day: Aug 28, 2026 Instruments: Landsat 9 — OLI Landsat 5 Topics: Glaciers & Ice Sheets 1985 2026 NASA Earth Observatory/Michala Garrison NASA Earth Observatory/Michala Garrison 1985 2026 NASA Earth Observatory/Michala Garrison NASA Earth Observatory/Michala Garrison 1985 2026 Curtain Toggle 2-Up Image Details The Pasterze Glacier in the Eastern Alps undergoes significant retreat between August 22, 1985 (left), and August 15, 2026 (right).

One narrow icefall connecting glacial ice in the upper and lower basins remains in summer 2026. The images were acquired with the TM (Thematic Mapper) on Landsat 5 and the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 9, respectively. NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison.

Amid Europe’s scorching summer of 2026, Austria’s largest glacier was holding on by one dwindling thread of ice. The last icefall connecting the upper and lower portions of the Pasterze Glacier in the Eastern Alps appeared poised to break, which would put an end to its reign as the country’s largest. Groups monitoring the glacier say the last conduit of ice may, depending on weather conditions, survive to see another year or two, or it may face its demise before the cold months arrive this year.

The NASA/USGS Landsat images above capture the glacier’s change from August 22, 1985, to August 15, 2026.