Alpine terrain becomes increasingly hazardous due to climate change effects
The Alps are experiencing an escalating danger of mountain collapses, rockslides, and landslides due to human-induced climate change, according to Tobias Hipp, a climate expert at the German Alpine Club. The warming of mountains and the destabilization of key geological components are making the region increasingly unstable.
Mountain collapses, such as the recent incident in Switzerland, involve large amounts of rock in motion, often preceded by smaller collapses that can be monitored for early warning. However, not all mountain collapses exhibit these signs. For instance, the collapse at Piz Cengalo in 2017 resulted in several deaths without any previous indications.
Rockslides and rockfall, common alpine hazards, pose a more immediate threat to mountaineers, according to Hipp. These events, triggered by similar processes that are exacerbated by climate change, occur more frequently and cover a wider area.
The thawing of permafrost and the retreat of glaciers play significant roles in this destabilization. As permafrost melts, the "glue" that holds the Alps together weakens, making rock faces and slopes more susceptible to collapse. Furthermore, the retreat of glaciers exposes unstable areas, from which rockfall or landslides can originate. Extreme weather events, such as heavy rain or heatwaves, often serve as additional triggers.
While the average mountaineer has less to worry about at lower altitudes, the risks increase significantly at altitudes between 2,000 and 2,500 meters, and are particularly pronounced in high-altitude regions. Good tour planning, taking weather conditions into account, remains essential, and becomes even more important due to rapidly changing conditions.
The Alps remain an attractive destination for mountaineering, Hipp notes, but the landscape and accompanying dangers are evolving. While there will always be inherent risks in the mountains, climate change is increasing their probability. communities in and around the Alps must adapt to these shifts to ensure their safety.
Science and environmental-science studies suggest that the escalating mountain collapses, rockslides, and landslides in the Alps are closely linked to climate-change, as indicated by the recent climate expert report from the German Alpine Club. The thawing of permafrost and the retreat of glaciers, facilitated by climate change, are weakening the "glue" that holds the Alps together, making the region more prone to therapies-and-treatments for mountain collapses and other similar geological hazards. Thus, health-and-wellness of climbers and local communities must be prioritized in our efforts to address and adapt to climate change.
