Climate change could be blamed for disaster

ETH Zurich

Researchers at the federal polytechnic ETH Zurich, say climate change is almost certain to have played a part in the Blatten disaster.

It was the ETH that was studying the mountainside before the disaster struck and was able to issue a warning about the impeding landslide, and in doing so saved hundreds of lives. 

The scientists say the event could have happened without climate change – but notes that changing temperatures is affecting the mountains especially the permafrost which holds higher mountainsides together.

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