Climate change leads to more alpine hazards, research team finds

From rockfall to ice avalanches: Climate change is intensifying natural hazards in the mountains in many places, posing particular challenges for the Alpine region. This is the result of a study jointly coordinated by glaciologist Mylène Jacquemart and permafrost expert Samuel Weber from ETH Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL.

The international team has evaluated more than 300 scientific papers from the past three decades. The findings are published in the journal Earth-Science Reviews.

The study focuses on the most common natural hazards in the Alps: rockfall, landslide, debris flow, ice and snow avalanche. The results:

Rockfall: Activity has increased in recent decades, but only in the high Alpine region. There, the permafrost is thawing and the glaciers are retreating. This weakens the rock on a widespread basis and encourages the release of stones and rock masses.

Rock avalanche: There is comparatively little data available for these major events. “Even if a clear statement is not yet possible, there are many indications that large rock avalanches occur more frequently today,” says Weber.

Debris flows: The number of heavy precipitation events that can trigger debris flows has clearly increased. “But only half of the studies examined indicate an increase in debris flows,” says Jacquemart. However, there are signs of more activity above the tree line and in areas not previously affected. Due to the retreat of the glaciers and increased rockfall, there is more loose material available that rainfall can set in motion.

Avalanches: “Activity is declining at low altitudes because the amount of snow is decreasing. At high altitudes, on the other hand, avalanche activity has increased slightly,” explains Weber. At the same time, the avalanches are changing their characteristics. Dry avalanches occur less frequently on average these days, while wet snow avalanches are more common.

Ice avalanches: In many places, ice avalanches are disappearing along with the glaciers. However, regional observations indicate that larger ice avalanches have been occurring more frequently since the turn of the millennium. “Where and how exactly ice avalanches are changing needs to be investigated further,” admits Jacquemart.

None of this comes as a surprise. Jacquemart and Weber refer to the first IPCC assessment report from 1990, which had already predicted an increase in alpine hazards due to climate change. The researchers expect snow and ice avalanches to become rarer by the end of the 21st century as warming continues. At the same time, the permafrost will continue to warm, even at high altitudes.

The researchers therefore assume that rockfalls, debris flows and landslides will become more frequent. “This change poses major challenges for society in the Alpine region,” emphasize Jacquemart and Weber.

What is permafrost?

Permafrost is ground such as rock, debris or moraine that has temperatures below 0°C throughout and is therefore permanently frozen. Permafrost covers some 5% of Switzerland’s territory and is mainly found in scree slopes and rock walls in cold locations at elevations above 2,500 meters above sea level.