Latest news with #rockfalls
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Alpine expert says climate change making mountains more dangerous
Climate change is making mountain collapses, such as the recent glacier collapse in Switzerland, as well as other hazards like rockfalls and landslides, more frequent, according to a climate expert at the German Alpine Club "The increase in these alpine hazards is a clear consequence of human-induced climate change," Tobias Hipp said. And that is making them more dangerous. "There will always be certain risks in the mountains, but their likelihood is increasing due to climate change," he said. "The Alps are out of balance due to warming and are becoming unstable. We must assume that these events will continue to increase." Hipp explained that it is important to distinguish between mountain collapses and rockfalls. "In the case of a mountain collapse – as seen recently in Switzerland – massive amounts of rock are involved. Often, there are warning signs beforehand, such as smaller break-offs, allowing for large-scale monitoring and early warnings. However, this is not always the case, as with the mountain collapse at Piz Cengalo in 2017, which resulted in several fatalities." For mountaineers, however, rockfalls and smaller-scale landslides are generally more relevant. "These are classic alpine hazards that occur much more frequently and across wider areas." Loss of ice and glaciers Both mountain collapses and rockfalls are triggered by similar processes, which are exacerbated by climate change, Hipp said. "On the one hand, the mountains are warming, which means the permafrost inside them no longer holds them together as effectively. On the other hand, the retreat of glaciers plays a role, as glaciers no longer act as supports for adjacent rock walls. Additionally, unstable areas beneath the glaciers are exposed, which can lead to rockfalls or landslides." Increasing extreme weather events, such as heavy rainfall or heatwaves, often act as triggers. Ultimately, multiple factors or processes usually interact. The level of danger depends heavily on location. "The average hiker who is not in high alpine regions has less to worry about," said Hipp. "But in areas between 2,000 and 2,500 metres, the risk increases, and in high alpine regions, we see a clear link between the rise in hazards and human-induced climate change." Importance of planning Good route planning, with attention to weather forecasts, is always essential, Hipp explained. However, due to rapid changes, it is becoming even more important. "The Alps will remain an attractive destination for mountaineering, just not in the same way as we have inherited them."
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Hundreds evacuated as landslide threatens Alpine village
Swiss authorities have expanded the evacuation order for the Alpine village of Blatten, amid growing fears of a major landslide. More than 90 residents were initially evacuated on Saturday night, but officials in the southern Valais canton extended the order on Monday to encompass almost the entire village of 300, barring residents from all but two areas. The evacuation comes in response to an escalating risk of rockfalls and landslides, leaving residents uncertain about when they can return home. The mountain above the village remains unstable, with movements and ongoing small rockfalls being continuously recorded. Local official Matthias Ebener described the situation as "very acute'. In 2023, residents of the village of Brienz in eastern Switzerland were evacuated before a huge mass of rock slid down a mountainside, stopping just short of the settlement. Brienz was evacuated again last year because of the threat of a further rockslide.
The Independent
18-05-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
A Swiss village is evacuated because of a threat of a mudslide
Swiss authorities evacuated around 100 people from their homes after a mudslide threatened their Alpine village of Blatten in the Lötschental Valley. The evacuation Saturday night was calm and orderly, local spokesman Matthias Ebener told Swiss newssite 20 Minuten. 'Everyone was able to find private accommodation with relatives or friends, or in other hotels. The tourists affected were relocated to nearby hotels,' he said. It wasn't immediately clear when the residents would be able to return to their homes, but likely not before Tuesday. 'There is a real risk of rockfalls,' Ebener said, referring to the nearby Kleine Nesthorn Mountain and the Birch Glacier. Several hiking paths and roads were also temporarily closed. Last year, residents of the village of Brienz also had to pack up their belongings and leave because of the threat of a possible rockslide from an Alpine mountainside overhead.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
A Swiss village is evacuated because of a threat of a mudslide
GENEVA (AP) — Swiss authorities evacuated around 100 people from their homes after a mudslide threatened their Alpine village of Blatten in the Lötschental Valley. The evacuation Saturday night was calm and orderly, local spokesman Matthias Ebener told Swiss newssite 20 Minuten. 'Everyone was able to find private accommodation with relatives or friends, or in other hotels. The tourists affected were relocated to nearby hotels,' he said. It was not clear when the residents would be able to return to their homes but likely not before Tuesday. 'There is a real risk of rockfalls,' Ebener said, referring to the nearby Kleine Nesthorn Mountain and the Birch Glacier. Several hiking paths and roads were also temporarily closed. Last year, residents of the village of Brienz also had to pack up their belongings and leave because of the threat of a possible rockslide from an Alpine mountainside overhead.
Associated Press
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Associated Press
A Swiss village is evacuated because of a threat of a mudslide
GENEVA (AP) — Swiss authorities evacuated around 100 people from their homes after a mudslide threatened their Alpine village of Blatten in the Lötschental Valley. The evacuation Saturday night was calm and orderly, local spokesman Matthias Ebener told Swiss newssite 20 Minuten. 'Everyone was able to find private accommodation with relatives or friends, or in other hotels. The tourists affected were relocated to nearby hotels,' he said. It was not clear when the residents would be able to return to their homes but likely not before Tuesday. 'There is a real risk of rockfalls,' Ebener said, referring to the nearby Kleine Nesthorn Mountain and the Birch Glacier. Several hiking paths and roads were also temporarily closed. Last year, residents of the village of Brienz also had to pack up their belongings and leave because of the threat of a possible rockslide from an Alpine mountainside overhead.
