The municipality of Blatten in the Lötschental, high in the Swiss Alps, is confronted with a potentially catastrophic collision. For days, geologists observe massive movements on the eastern flank of the small nest horn – a high top of more than 3300 meters above the village of Valais. About 300 inhabitants had to leave their homes on Monday morning at instructions from the authorities. About 100 buildings were also deleted as a precaution.
According to experts, a total of a maximum of five million cubic meters of rock can come loose and thunder in the valley. Since last week, around 1.5 million cubic meters of material have been canceled.
A first rock had torn parts of the underlying birch glacier and activated a mixture of mud, water and debris, which came to a halt about 500 meters above the village.
Cracks are getting bigger and bigger
How the situation develops is currently unclear. According to observations, the cracks on the Kleine Nesthorn are larger and the measurement data indicates increasing instability. In individual places, the mountain has already passed eight meters, even measured a 17 -meter movement vertically, said Alban Brigger, engineer for natural dangers in the Upper Valais. The municipality had therefore asked the army for support.
The risk of a sudden, huge demolition remains high. “It is clear that the mountain will come. It’s a matter of hours, not days,” said Brigger. A single large fall would be particularly dangerous, in which the whole unstable rock suddenly starts moving.
Evacuation arranged as a precautionary measure
The first residents and tourists were already evacuated during the weekend. Now the entire village has been hit. Most people are housed privately. According to regional management staff, the night of Tuesday remained calm, there were no greater interruptions. But the fear of waiting for the possible most important demolition continues.
The cause of instability has not finally been clarified. The affected zone is in a permafrost area that is increasingly thawing as a result of climate change. Moreover, there is the start of snowmelts, which also brings water into the mountain and can further increase the tensions in the rock.
Mountain was considered real estate
The mayor of Blatten, Matthias Bellwald, was struck: “Five days ago, no one had thought that a mountain we had admired for years and thought it was real estate.” It is hoped that the residents will soon be able to return – provided that the landslide fails or fails not to do.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
