The Swiss village of Kandersteg faces a potentially catastrophic risk due to the instability of a rock formation known as Spitze Stei. Located in the canton of Bern, Kandersteg could suffer a massive rock collapse as a consequence of the advancing permafrost thawing in the Alps.
The Thawing of Permafrost and its Consequences
Climate change is causing a rise in temperatures that accelerates the thawing of permafrost, which has stabilized sediments in the Swiss mountains for centuries. According to Professor Markus Stoffel from the University of Geneva, this melting exposes loose materials that increase landslides.
Official studies estimate that the unstable section of Spitze Stei contains between 15 and 20 million cubic meters of rock. If these rocks detach, they could cause a catastrophe in the valley that houses Kandersteg, where approximately 1,300 people reside.
The current scenario revives memories of the disaster in Blatten, in the Lötschental valley, where a flow of rocks and ice caused significant devastation. To prevent a similar event, experts are using advanced surveillance technology, such as high-precision radars and drones, to monitor any structural changes in the mountain.
In contrast to the pessimism, experts from Greenpeace, like Nathan Solothurnmann, warn about the increasing frequency of these phenomena due to global warming. The international community must prepare for the high financial costs related to managing such potential disasters.
Currently, geological models suggest several outcomes for Spitze Stei. Although a complete and dramatic collapse is one of the hypotheses, specialists believe that a progressive landslide in smaller blocks is more likely, which could mitigate the direct impact.