Landslide imminent!

Here on the Sitzkofel we can clearly see the crevice on a slope side: Tower-like pieces from the adjacent Contrin Dolomite are threatening to break loose from the rock face here and along the entire course of the slope. But how were these threatening cracks formed? The glaciers of the Ice Ages significantly eroded the sides of the valley. After the ice melted, support was lacking and the excessively steep rocks were left standing in a mechanically unstable position. If these slopes are still located on a soft surface that can be compressed, then it’s quite possible that at some point there will be nothing to support the rocks and they will begin to tilt forwards towards the valley. The gradually widening crack is, therefore, a warning! Often geologists try to insert iron bars as a warning before pieces start to break loose. If the rock continues to move, the iron bars can’t withstand the pressure of the rock and break apart. At this point, if not before, there is a clear warning that soon something is going to break off! You can, of course, take precautions. At observation 10, we can see more clearly what this can lead to.