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Slopes in motion: rockfalls and landslides

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When soil and rock break off from steep mountain slopes, people and buildings in the valley below are in great danger. We research landslides, rockfalls, and rockslides so risks can be assessed and damage prevented. Through our research, we not only get stones rolling - but even boulders.

 

In a mountainous country like Switzerland, not everything that comes from above is good: 6 to 8% of Switzerland's surface area – mainly in the pre-alpine and alpine regions – are threatened by landslides, rockfall and rockslides. These natural hazards can be predicted only to a limited extent and often move at high speeds – and are thus a serious threat to valley inhabitants. Given that they unleash colossal forces, protective structures and safety measures often face technical difficulties or are very expensive.

Climate change could exacerbate these risks further: melting glaciers and thawing permafrost release rocks and boulders from their icy grip. If heavy rainfall increases as predicted, hillslope debris flows could occur more frequently. We investigate the processes underlying these natural hazards to improve hazard mapping, early warning and protective measures.

Rock, debris and soil

Landslides occur when soils on slopes become saturated with water during heavy rainfall and virtually liquify. They endanger infrastructure such as buildings, roads or railway tracks. During storms involving many landslides, we study affected regions so that hazard maps can be improved. We submit the data to researchers and civil protection authorities via our hillslope debris flow database.

We gather experimental data in our large-scale laboratory: We simulate hillslope debris flows on a ramp in the laboratory and examine how vegetation affects the stability of earth layers using apparatus which we ourselves have developed.

Rockfalls and landslides occur everywhere in the mountains, and especially often where the permafrost thaws. The researchers at the SLF measure rockfall trajectories by rolling boulders equipped with measuring probes down mountain slopes. In the process, they collect information about their speed, rotation and impact. This data is used in the rockfall module of our natural hazard simulation software RAMMS.

 
Simulierter Steinschlag auf einem Luftbild des Fuchslaui-Grabens.
Rockfall simulation with the simulation model RAMMS in the Fuchslaui trench (St. Gallen). (Animation: WSL)
 

Topics

CCAMM: Climate change and alpine mass movements

We investigate the effect of climate change on debris movements to better asses risks and develop adaption strategies.

 

CERC Research Centre

We develop solutions to problems that arise in mountain regions due to the consequences of climate change, extreme events and natural hazards.

Swiss flood and landslide damage database

We have been recording storm damage in Switzerland in a database since 1972. It is financed by the FOEN and helps with hazard assessment.

Database shallow landslides and hillslope debris flows

This database, developed in collaboration with the FOEN, includes the data from the WSL process analyses and information from other events from...

WSL-database of natural hazard fatalities in Switzerland

The WSL database records deaths due to naturally triggered natural hazards per year since 1946.

 

 

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