High levels of precipitation cause the glaciers to descend to permafrost levels in some areas whereas in other, more arid regions, glaciers remain above about the 3,500 m (11,483 ft) level. The 1,817 square kilometres (702 sq mi) of the Alps covered by glaciers in 1876 had shrunk to 1,342 km2 (518 sq mi) by 1973, resulting in decreased river run-off levels. Forty percent of the glaciation in Austria has disappeared since 1850, and 30% of that in Switzerland. COUNT 5
QSN1 What cause the glaciers to descend to permafrost levels in some areas?  ANS1 High levels of precipitation QSN2 From 1876 to 1973, how much did the glaciers that covered the Alps shrink? ANS2 to 1,342 km2 (518 sq mi) QSN3 What resulted from the loss of the area the glaciers over the Alps? ANS3 decreased river run-off levels. QSN4 How much of the glaciation in Austria disappeared? ANS4 Forty percent QSN5 How much of the glaciation disappeared in Switzerland? ANS5 30%