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A sound that risks extinction

An immersive journey between art and science

Scric, sccrrrac, gorgl, ploc, frrr, crash, ploc... These sounds, seemingly coming straight from the depths of the Earth, tell an ancient story. A tale of silence and deafening noise, an echo that spreads across valleys and glaciers. Melting water. Falling snow. Rolling stones. Rumbling chunks of ice. Each sound is a fragment of a story. Each fragment is in danger of fading away. 

"Shhh, toc, pllll, rrrrrarrr, scric, croc." This is how the glacier expresses itself: a language defying time that tells of a changing world. The voices of the glaciers are immortal and mighty, and they speak for themselves. But listening to them requires patience. A whisper between the cracks in the ice. The shudder of a breath running along invisible cracks. Nature's own story is told in a language that defies definition, as it bubbles, sparkles and sprouts between the ice and the wind. 

“Sebastião Salgado. Ghiacciai”

The exhibition at the Mart in Rovereto and at the MUSE in Trento
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Intuition

This ancient song has attracted the attention of researchers and scientists, fascinated by what the glacier has to tell. In 2020, sound artist Sergio Maggioni (NEUNAU) initiated the project “Un Suono in Estinzione” (A sound that risks extinction), involving the MUSE – Trento Science Museum, the Geological Museum of the Dolomites in Predazzo, and many experts from universities and research institutions.  

Bioacoustic recorders installed directly on the glaciers are to be used to capture the sounds emitted by melting glaciers. The Adamello glacier in particular was chosen as the primary focus. During 10 expeditions, the team covered 140 kilometres, climbed 12,000 metres and collected over 14,000 hours of recorded audio, creating a unique sound map.  

This sound archive is a scientific treasure and a powerful testimony to the climate crisis threatening these fragile ecosystems. 

A sound that risks extinction

The Installation 

Starting in July 2025, visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in this unique experience through an installation created in collaboration with the MUSE and the Geological Museum of the Dolomites in Predazzo.  

The installation offers visitors the chance to listen to the sounds of melting glaciers, providing an experience that combines art and science while raising awareness of the fragility of our environment. The collection of these sounds is not just documentation. It is an educational action. This is aimed at schools, tourists and local communities. It promotes awareness of climate change.  

Through exhibitions, talks, films, podcasts and music, the project aims to teach people about the importance of protecting these amazing natural environments. 

A sound that risks extinction

Immersive journey between art and science
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The Project 

The 'A sound that risks extinction' project has created a living library of glacial voices, offering a glimpse into a unique heritage that highlights the invaluable contribution of glaciers to our landscape and civilisation.  

Through their sounds, glaciers speak to us of a fading past that can still be preserved through listening and awareness. The frozen heart of the glaciers beats loudly within the museum walls and on the mountain peaks. Science and emotion converge to create layers of perception that engage all the senses for anyone who wishes to hear the voices that are in danger of disappearing.  

The project will continue to explore new glaciers, such as the Marmolada and the Cevedale, pushing as far as the South Pole to record sounds that could otherwise be lost forever. 

We take care

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Published on 30/05/2025

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