A glaciologist explains how a Swiss village was wiped off the map by a glacier | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Glacial retreat: The shrinking of glaciers due to melting.
• Permafrost: Ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years.
• Rockfall: The falling of rocks from a cliff or steep slope.
• Glacial collapse: The sudden breaking off of a large mass of ice from a glacier.
• Climate change: Long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns.
• Natural hazards: Natural events that can cause harm to humans and the environment.

Glacial Retreat and Instability

Saskia Jandro, a glaciologist, explains that glaciers are retreating significantly in the Alps due to rising temperatures. The temperature increase in the Alps is twice the normal increase compared to other parts of the world. This retreat causes the ice to no longer push against the rock on the sides, leading to instability in the surrounding rock walls.

The Role of Permafrost

The destabilization of permafrost, which is likely melting due to rising temperatures, further contributes to the instability. The combination of glacial retreat, rock destabilization, and permafrost melting creates conditions for significant natural events.

Increased Frequency of Natural Hazards

Climate change is causing an increase in the frequency of natural hazards such as rockfall, glacial collapse, and landslides. The population in the mountains is increasingly threatened by these events.

Case Study: Rock and Sediment on Glacier

Jandro describes an event where a large amount of rock and sediment fell onto a glacier. This mass caused the glacier to push forward rapidly, sending everything down the valley.

Attribution Challenges

It is difficult to definitively attribute a specific event to climate change. However, the overall trend shows a clear increase in the frequency of these events due to climate change.

Conclusion

The combination of glacial retreat, permafrost melting, and rock destabilization, all exacerbated by climate change, is leading to an increase in natural hazards in mountainous regions. This poses a growing threat to the populations living in these areas.