Marmolada, the highest mountain group in the Dolomites, contains the Marmolada Glacier.

As many glaciers throughout the Alps, the Marmolada Glacier has experienced significant retreat over the last decades. On the afternoon of Sunday, July 3, 2022, a large serac from the glacier’s upper portion detached suddenly, triggering an ice and rock avalanche that impacted the normal route. Several mountaineering parties were on the ascent, resulting in two being caught in the avalanche. The unexpected serac detachment was attributed to substantial meltwater infiltration due to abnormal temperatures, including peaks reaching 10°C at the summit. Emergency efforts were immediately mobilized, including helicopter rescue units. A GBInSAR LiSAmobile radar system was urgently deployed on July 5, 2022, to monitor the stability of the upstream slope during recovery operations and particularly the remaining portion of the collapsed serac. Monitoring continued for three months until September 30, 2022.