The Swiss village of Kandersteg, home to 1,300 residents, is under threat from a looming rock collapse due to thawing permafrost, a phenomenon scientists link to rising global temperatures.
The unstable mountain rock formation, known as Spitze Stei, overlooks the village in Switzerland's Bern canton. Scientists warn that its potential collapse could trigger a landslide comparable to the disaster that destroyed the nearby village of Blatten in May 2025. In that event, a massive amount of rock and ice from a glacier descended the mountainside, covering much of Blatten in mud after the village had been evacuated as a precaution.
Permafrost, the frozen soil and rock that acts as a natural adhesive in mountainous regions, is melting as global temperatures increase. "Once this ice is melting, it acts like a cement. These mountain slopes will become increasingly unstable," said Markus Stoffel, a professor for climate change and natural risks at the University of Geneva.
Despite the potential danger, some residents of Kandersteg express a sense of calm, noting that the situation differs from Blatten. "It’s a different situation. We are not afraid of the Spitze Stei rock. It’s been many years seeing stones falling from up there," said local resident Rudolf Isler. He added that the issue is directly related to global warming and rising temperatures.
Authorities are monitoring the Spitze Stei formation, estimated to contain 15 to 20 million cubic meters of unstable rock. While a complete collapse of this section would constitute a major natural disaster, experts believe a gradual breakdown is more probable than a single, catastrophic event. Evacuation plans are in place, and locals report that precautions have been taken.
Climate experts caution that landslides and avalanches are becoming more frequent due to climate change. "Maybe even one day we will have to abandon certain valleys or certain villages because it’s becoming impossible to live there," stated Nathan Solothurnmann, a climate and energy expert for Greenpeace Switzerland. He also noted that the cost of protective measures could become prohibitive, making continued habitation unviable.