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2 clusters · 14 sources · 3 days · First seen · Last updated

Kandersteg landslide risk from Spitze Stei

Overview

The Swiss village of Kandersteg in the Bern canton is facing a significant landslide threat caused by the instability of the Spitze Stei rock formation. Experts estimate the unstable mass contains between 15 and 20 million cubic meters of rock. Scientists attribute this instability to climate change, noting that thawing permafrost and retreating glaciers remove the ice that acts as a ‘cement’ for mountain slopes.

Concerns have been heightened by the memory of a May 2025 disaster in the nearby Lötschental valley, where a collapse buried the village of Blatten. Geologists warn that a potential collapse at Spitze Stei could be twice the size of the Blatten event and could also strike Lake Oeschinen, potentially sending a wave toward the village.

Authorities are monitoring the mountain using radar and drones, and have established evacuation routes. Officials state that residents would receive at least 24 hours of warning before a major collapse. While local residents report feeling calm due to these precautions, climate experts suggest that such geological instability may eventually necessitate the abandonment of certain Alpine valleys and villages.

Entities

Kandersteg · Spitze Stei · Lake Oeschinen · Greenpeace · GLAMOS

Timeline

  1. 22 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 3 sources
    Kandersteg faces landslide risk from Spitze Stei rock formation

    The Swiss village of Kandersteg faces major landslide risks from the unstable Spitze Stei rock formation, driven by permafrost thaw and retreating glaciers due to rising temperatures.

  2. 25 days ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 11 sources
    Kandersteg faces landslide risk from unstable rock mass

    The Swiss village of Kandersteg faces a major landslide threat from the Spitze Stei rock formation, driven by climate-induced permafrost thawing and glacier retreat in the Alps.

Sources

24sata.info · bedaromano.blog.ilsole24ore.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · euronews.com · independent.co.uk · makemusic.smpb.ch · mymotherlode.com · news.mongabay.com · newsday.com · noticiasambientales.com.ar · podroze.onet.pl · srnnews.com · whec.com · wtxnews.com