01/06/2025
Satellitenaufnahme Blatten Schweiz 😳
On 28 May 2025, the collapse of the Birch Glacier in the Swiss Alps caused a massive landslide, devastating the village of Blatten in the Lötschental valley.
Around 3 million cubic metres of debris crashed down the slope, destroying almost 90% of the village.
This Copernicus image, acquired on 30 May 2025, reveals the extent of the affected area. The brownish-grey landslide path is clearly visible against the vibrant alpine meadows and remaining snow. The accumulation of material also obstructed the Lonza River, creating a natural dam and raising concerns about potential flooding downstream.
data is key to tracking glacier changes over time, helping to detect early signs of instability and support risk prevention in a warming climate.