Eiger Dumping Huge Volumes Of Rock As Glaciers' Grip Rapidly Recedes - BBC

[hatrack]

EDIT

For the time being, the Eiger's loose rock is not a hazard to local people because the boulders are crashing down into an uninhabited gorge. Nevertheless Grindelwald's rescue services are on high alert. Many paths in the region of the glacier are closed, others have new signs warning that the frequent rock falls may cause dust clouds, poor visibility, changes in air pressure, and even small earthquakes.

Geologist Hansrudolf Keusen has spent much of the summer keeping a watchful eye on the Eiger. Each week, he surveys the loose limestone, and checks the water level in the gorge below. Once a favourite tourist attraction, it is now closed, and the air is thick with the dust from fallen rock. "In fact the biggest danger is down here," he said. "Not because a rock might fall on someone, because we've closed this area. But the water in this gorge is the normal glacial melt water. If the falling rocks created a dam here, we could end up with a flood wave that could sweep down not just into Grindelwald, but all the way to Interlaken."

And even if there is no immediate danger, the consequences of such a huge rock fall are alarming to the thousands of tourists who flock to the resort of Grindelwald every year. When 400,000 of those two million cubic metres fell down all at once, the village was shrouded in a thick cloud of dust for several hours.

Tourism is hugely important to Switzerland's economy, so officials are keen now to reassure visitors that everything is being done to ensure their safety. "The Alps are not going to fall down overnight," said Hansrudolf Keusen. "They'll be with us for many years to come. But we do have to prepare for more events like this."

EDIT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5306818.stm

[MountainLaurel]

1. We are so fucked.

:cry:

[NMDemDist2]

3. yup

pretty much

:hide:

[fed-up]

2. The Sky IS Falling n/t

[stevedeshazer]

4. It's happening in Montana

[stevedeshazer]

5. It's happening in Washington

South Cascade Glacier, Mt. Rainier, 1928



Same view, 2003

[stevedeshazer]

6. It's happening in Alaska

[stevedeshazer]

7. It's happening in Oregon

And these photos are just 18 years apart

[Joanne98]

8. Get ready. The people who caused this are going to try to be the

last survivor's. Whatever happens, the world's most evil people CAN NOT inherit the earth. Keep a eye out for "the evil man's survival plan".

[4_TN_TITANS]

9. Amazing...... Thanks! n/t

[Javaman]

10. If I live long enough, I will be one of the last few who knew what snow

was like.

That is sad.