NATURAL EVENTS

Austria, mountain landslide. Experts blame permafrost thaw.

It may have been caused by thawing permafrost that the heavy detachment of material (more than one million cubic metres of rock that created a landslide of 2 kilometres, about 35,000 square metres) that affected Austria's Fluchthorn mountain. half of its peak (3,398 metres above sea level) is now gone.

The event occurred precisely in the municipality of Galtur, which lies between the region of Tyrol and Vorarlberg (Swiss canton of Graubünden) on 11 June. In the first minutes it was feared that some people had been left under the debris deposit, and all the local authorities took part in the search, also coordinated by a dedicated team of geologists.

The damage is also extensive, probably around one million euros. Now the main objective will be to clear the roadway and rebuild the entire structure, securing the mountain.

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Thawing permafrost reportedly the cause of a huge landslide in Austria
It may have been caused by thawing permafrost the heavy detachment of material (more than one million cubic metres of rock that created a landslide of 2 kilometres, about 35,000 square metres) that affected Austria's Fluchthorn mountain. Half of its peak (3398 metres above sea level) is now gone.
Getty Images
Thawing permafrost is said to be the cause of a huge landslide in Austria
The incident took place precisely in the municipality of Galtur, which lies between the region of Tyrol and Vorarlberg (Swiss canton of Graubünden) on 11 June. In the first few minutes it was feared that some people had been left under the debris deposit, and all the local authorities took part in the search, also coordinated by a dedicated team of geologists.
Getty Images
Thawing permafrost is said to be the cause of a huge landslide in Austria
The damage is also extensive, probably around EUR 1 million. Now the main objective will be to clear the roadway and rebuild the entire structure, securing the mountain.
Getty Images
Thawing permafrost reportedly the cause of a huge landslide in Austria
Scientists blame the thawing permafrost, which is cancelling out the natural binding effect of the ice within the high Alpine rocks. Average temperatures have risen twice as fast in the European Alps as in the lowlands in recent decades.
Getty Images
Thawing permafrost reportedly the cause of a huge landslide in Austria
The authorities have also warned climbers and people in the area to be careful and avoid the region, so far there have been no reports of injuries. Further damage will unfortunately be suffered by tourism, as this stretch of motorway is heavily frequented by motorists and motorcyclists, and the hotels in the surrounding area will certainly suffer.
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