Similarly,
Blitten: landslide predictable birch glacier:
Images satellites
BLATTEN: The landslide was predictable since space in 2016
The European space agency has analyzed satellite images showing the warning signs of the collapse of years before the incident.
A helicopter evacuates pieces of wood obstructing the Lonza river after the collapse of the Birch glacier. Moreover, a massive landslide which projected tons of rocks, ice and scree along the slope of the mountain in the valley, destroying the village of Blatten.
AFP/Fabrice Coffrini
An analysis of the European Space Agency (ESA) reveals that precursor signs. of thePetit-Asthorn landslide in Blaten were detectable since space several years before the incident last May. Satellite images show that field movements were already underway in 2016 and intensified over time.
The study of l’E’s Confirms that the slope had started a trip long before collapse. indicates Andrea Manconi, expert at the WSL Institute for the study of snow and avalanches (SLF) to our colleagues in Keystone-Ats, quoted by different media including Blue Lake.
Between 2016. 2024, radar images demonstrated a significant acceleration of the movements of the slope, going from 50 centimeters of travel per year in 2023 to 150 centimeters per year the following year.
Special satellites in the L blitten: landslide predictable birch glacier band
This acceleration of deformations reflects a passage to a critical situation. accentuates the risk of an imminent disaster. Thanks to these observations, the use of satellite data is essential for early detection of risks.
The images come from satellites in L -band. which, thanks to their longer radar waves, offer better capacity to penetrate in complex terrains than traditional satellites.
Although local observations have enabled the inhabitants of Blatten in time. ESA highlights the crucial importance of these satellites for large -scale surveillance. However, the agency is aware that deploying sensors on each alpine slope is logistically and financially impracticable.
“Latest news”
Do you want to stay at the top of the info? “24 hours” offers you two meetings a blitten: landslide predictable birch glacier day. not to miss anything of what is happening in your canton, in Switzerland or in the world.
Other newsletters
Did you find an error? Please report it to us.
Further reading: The Swiss Stock Exchange opens in green – Customs duties for the United States: 39% for Switzerland – “Rising problem”: Switzerland harshly struck by “Renard disease” – Roche and Novartis make Switzerland sing – The Vatican announces an upward profit on its heritage.