Glacier collapse in Valais: Threat to Blatten is growing!

Glacier collapse in Valais: Threat to Blatten is growing!

In the canton of Valais, Switzerland, there has been a dramatic oneGlacier collapserecently caused a stir. A mountain of rubble up to 100 meters high was piled up above the village of Blatten. Initial measurements by the authorities show that the material currently appears stable, although the situation could change at any time. Cantonal geologist Raphael Mayoraz informs that around a third of the nine million cubic meters of debris consists of ice remnants from the broken glacier. The melting of these ice remnants increases the risk of instability and movement in the debris.

Although no major cracks or collapses have been identified so far, the danger remains, particularly as temperatures rise. In order to better monitor the situation in the disaster area, cameras were installed to keep an eye on the pile of rubble and the surrounding reservoir around the clock. Further worrying is a landslide in the upper Val de Bagnes, where a mudslide recently destroyed a makeshift emergency bridge at Lourtier. This bridge was only built in September 2024 after severe storms to connect several places.

Climate change and its consequences

The glacier collapse in Valais is not isolated; it is part of a broader trend in the Alps caused by theClimate changeis reinforced. A landslide occurred in the Lötschental, which the geologist Flavio Anselmetti describes as a millennium event. More and more experts, such as mountain guide Peter Schwitter, are reporting an increase in small rockfalls and rock falls in recent decades, underscoring the need to closely monitor the condition of mountain regions. Professor Michael Krautblatter points to an “absolute accumulation” of rock falls in the Alps, where he sees climate change as the central cause that is destabilizing the permafrost.

The warming of the Alps, which has risen by almost 2°C since 1880, is causing the permafrost-covered areas to lose stability. The thawing of the permafrost not only promotes erosion through impermeability, but also the mobility of the rock. These changes are drastic: Alpine glaciers have lost more than half of their area and a third of their ice volume since 1850. Forecasts suggest that the Alps could be almost ice-free by the end of the century.

Consequences for nature and people

Animal species and plants in the Alps are also severely affected. Animals such as marmots and mountain hares are being pushed by rising temperatures to higher altitudes where food resources are scarce. The grouse also suffer from the changed living conditions. At the plant level, the Bavarian gentian is increasingly being displaced by invasive species. The disappearing ice not only poses challenges for wildlife, but also increases the dangers of extreme weather and mudslides for people living in mountainous regions.

Experts warn that glaciers play an important role as water reservoirs, as 60 to 70% of the water in high mountain streams comes from glacier melt. The loss of glaciers could result in these streams having only 25% of their current flow by mid-century. Additionally, the timing of maximum runoff shifts from July/August to May, which could have far-reaching consequences for regions that rely on these water resources.

In this worrying situation, it remains to be noted that current events in the Alps are influenced not only by local geographical factors, but also by global climate change. The challenges for people and nature are growing and require adapted ecological thinking as well as preventive measures to protect and preserve the mountain ranges.

For more information about the dangers of climate change and its effects on glaciers and mountain regions, read more at crown, WDR and Alpine Club.