Rockfalls and landslides in populated areas or in popular excursion destinations: the main aim of the international group of researchers led by the Technical University of Munich is to gain a more precise understanding of dynamic phenomena in the mountains and develop an innovative information service that provides early warning of dangers. Among other things, the researchers are using electrodes to measure the temperature of the thawing permafrost inside the Zugspitze. The result of this monitoring is a model that shows the melt-related decline and condition of the permafrost. The team at the Technical University of Munich has developed a technique that can predict major landslides and slope movements. If, for example, debris and rocks are on the move after several days of rainfall, this is transmitted to the researchers via text message. This enables them to warn the public in good time and better assess natural hazards in the Alpine regions.

Another important aspect of the research centre is its cooperation and coordination of measures in the event of an emergency. The concerted cooperation of representatives from the fields of science, tourism, government authorities and NGOs from all Alpine countries simplifies and optimises emergency planning. The newly established Alpha platform also enables other areas affected by climate change to install measuring devices to predict extreme events.

Sources and further information:

www.merkur.de/lokales/garmisch-partenkirchen/zugspitze-schneefernerhaus-forschen-krautblatter-tu-muenchen-alpha-berge-klima-wandel-92703110.html (de), www.br.de/nachrichten/bayern/neuer-informationsdienst-warnt-vor-naturgefahren-in-den-bergen,TwnAJa4 (de), https://schneefernerhaus.de/news-article/neues-forschungszentrum-fuer-alpine-naturgefahren-tum-alpha-181/ (de), (en), www.br.de/nachrichten/deutschland-welt/folgen-des-klimawandels-immer-mehr-muren-und-bergstuerze,TpobnLX (de), www.merkur.de/bayern/hochvogel-im-allgaeu-der-berg-der-singt-und-simst-90170214.html (de)