Monday, July 10, 2006
Geologists monitoring Mt. Eiger in the Swiss Alps have reported that a major fissure is opening up at the rate of 75cm per day, loosening a block of rock 2x106 m3 in size. If the rockfall occurs (it is expected in the next few days), debris settling onto glaciers below could block streams and cause downstream flooding or affect water supplies, but there is no direct danger to Man or property. The report made to The Guardian blames global warming for this activity but no evidence for this is presented. It is much more likely to be part of the natural cycle of erosion and deposition occurring in the mountains.