Authorities in eastern Switzerland have issued evacuation orders for the small village of Brienz due to the imminent threat of a massive rockslide. Residents faced a similar situation last summer. Officials warned that "high above Brienz, the top part of the the uppermost part of the rubble pile has accelerated considerably. It cannot be ruled out that up to 1.2 million cubic meters of rock debris will be moving moving down the valley in a stream of debris."
Measurements since mid-September show some areas of the rubble are shifting over 30 centimeters (11.8 inches) daily, according to SRF public broadcaster reports. This acceleration increases the likelihood that the rockslide could reach Brienz, a village that lies at approximately 1,150 meters (3,800 feet) and is home to fewer than 100 residents. The municipality's early warning service is closely monitoring the situation.
Brienz, nestled in the Graubuenden region southwest of Davos, has experienced geological changes since the Ice Age. Historically, the village would shift only a few centimeters annually, but this movement has intensified over the past two decades, with changes now occurring about a meter (3 feet) per year. Local officials emphasize the unique geological dynamics have contributed to the increased speed of the landslide, highlighting the urgency of the evacuation measures to ensure residents' safety. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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