Authorities in eastern Switzerland have ordered residents of Brienz to evacuate by Friday evening due to a looming rockslide. Geology experts say a mass of two million cubic meters of Alpine rock could break loose and spill down in the coming weeks.
Residents would have to leave by 6 pm on Friday, but they could return to the tiny village starting Saturday. However, this will all depend on the risk level. The most important thing is that residents don't stay overnight in the village.
Experts estimate a 60 percent chance of small chunks of rock falling, which may not reach the village or the valley. The landslide could also move slowly. However, there is a 10 percent chance that the whole mass may tumble down, which could endanger the lives of many, according to APNews.
Brienz currently has under 100 residents. Since the last Ice Age, the mountain and the rocks on it have been moving. However, measurements indicated a strong acceleration over a large area in recent days, and up to two million cubic meters of rock, material will collapse or slide in the coming seven to 24 days.
Over the last 100 hundred years, Brienz has moved a few centimeters each yet, but the movement only sped up over the last 20 years. The landslide has been moving about a meter every year, and according to geological surveys, the situation has become even more precarious.
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Can they control a rock slide?
Controlling a rock slide is possible, but not in this specific condition. This is because it would require drilling under the rock, which is already a risky operation. Then, erecting a pile of sand or a wall to try to hold back the rocks wasn't feasible as well because the wall should be high enough to protect the village.
Furthermore, the speed and magnitude of the rock slide make it impossible to control. The best solution is to evacuate the residents and nearby areas to ensure their safety. The local authorities have already started the evacuation process and are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of all concerned. It is a difficult decision but necessary to prevent any loss of life or property damage.
The rock slide in Brienz was a natural disaster that was caused by various factors such as erosion, weathering, and seismic activity. The mountainous region of Switzerland is prone to landslides due to its geographical location and geological structure.
Despite these measures taken so far towards ensuring safety during this crisis period, it's important for people living within or around areas where land movement occurs frequently to not only be aware but always alert when necessary - especially with regard to potential risks from future events happening again soon after previous ones occur without warning!
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