Hochvogel crack alarms: Is the Allgäuer Berg in danger of collapsing?

Hochvogel crack alarms: Is the Allgäuer Berg in danger of collapsing?

In the picturesque Allgäu Alps, which are increasingly popular as a holiday destination, there are worrying developments at Hochvogel. The almost 2,600 meter high mountain is affected by a massive, widening crack. Current estimates show that the crack, which is 40 meters long, 3 meters wide and 8 meters deep, is continuing to expand, significantly increasing the risk of the summit falling off. The renowned geologist Michael Krautblatter from the Technical University of Munich is monitoring the situation closely and warns: “Up to 260,000 cubic meters of rock could fall off.” This volume corresponds to the loading volume of around 250 freight trains, which underlines the dimension of the impending danger.

Despite the serious situation, there is currently hope that the falling rock will not fall into inhabited areas, but rather onto unpopulated areas. Nevertheless, tourists, especially hikers, should prepare for possible dangers and exercise caution. The crack has widened by 30 centimeters in the last five years, raising fundamental concerns about the stability of the entire mountain range.

Early warning system and continuous monitoring

In order to constantly monitor the situation at Hochvogel, scientists use modern technologies. The early warning system “AlpSenceBench” was developed to predict possible crashes in advance. Measuring devices on the mountain communicate in real time and send important warning messages to the Munich institute so that the alarm can be raised in good time if the split accelerates. This would alert the mountain rescue service and the valley communities to the impending emergency.

In the event of a disaster, the 260,000 cubic meters of rock could collapse into two torrents. With the impending risk of mudslides that could occur in the coming years, the Hinterhornbachtal in Tyrol is also at risk. Professor Krautblatter warns that after a possible demolition, the remaining summit is expected to fall gradually in several phases, which further increases the uncertainty. The high bird could even remain unstable for the next 10 to 20 years. Experts blame climate change for these developments, particularly a doubling of heavy rainfall in the last 100 years, which significantly affects the stability of the mountain.

Despite all the warnings and dangers, the experts appeal to visitors to the region to stay informed and to be aware of the risks when experiencing the impressive nature in the Allgäu. The beautiful landscapes are still worth the trip, but safety must come first.