Integrated Analysis of the Blatten Rock-Ice Avalanche: Seismology, Geomorphology, and Modeling
Résumé
On May 28, 2025, a massive rock-ice avalanche struck near Blatten (Lötschental Valley, Switzerland), triggering seismic waves equivalent to a magnitude 3.1 earthquake. While the 300 residents were evacuated in time, one shepherd was killed and 90% of the village was buried. The event underscores rising alpine hazards linked to permafrost thaw and glacier destabilization, and the need for effective monitoring and early warning systems. To better understand the dynamics of such events, we conduct research that combines seismic signal analysis, geomorphological observations, and numerical simulations. Since the pioneering work of Kanamori and Brodsky, it has been well established that landslides, including rock, debris, and snow avalanches, generate seismic waves that contain critical information about the source: flow duration, mobilized mass, granular friction, particle impacts on the ground, and interactions with water.
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