A 250,000-ton block of ice is moving up to 20 cm a day over the Swiss village of Randa. The authorities have declared alert level 3, but the town is not currently in direct danger.
In the last few hours some rather alarming news has been circulating online: the Swiss village of Mainsailin Valais, would be threatened by an ice block from 250 thousand tons which moves up to 20 centimeters per day. But is it really like that? To answer this question without alarmism we must first understand the context.
The glacier involved is the one on eastern face of the Weisshornat over 4000 meters above sea level, above the village of Randa, in the Mattertal (Canton of Valais). Currently the authorities have declared the alert level 3 (on a scale of 4), which provides a monitoring daily 24 hours a day and the delimitation of a perimeter Of safety upstream of the town. Contrary to what one might think, the town is currently not in direct danger and its approximately 450 inhabitants remain safe within the protected area. In fact, its evacuation would only be foreseen in the event of level 4, which would only be triggered in the event of an imminent collapse.
However, what is causing concern among professionals is the snow fresh which could accumulate on the plateau below the glacier of Encore, which poses an avalanche risk. In this scenario, the detachment of the glacial block would drag the snow, creating a powerful avalanche of ice, snow and dust. Taking up the words of Norbert Carlencantonal engineer from Valais specializing in natural hazards: “If the entire block were to break away, it would certainly take with it all the snow that is below, on the plateau.“
According to the Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF), this would radically increase the volume and the Force destructive of the falling mass, extending its range of action. However, as confirmed by Carlen, the situation is monitored constantly. The real immediate risk area remains limited to the upstream surroundings, where the gravel piti paths hiking and the slopes cycle paths They remain closed to the public as a precaution.
