Understanding the Blatten disaster

On May 28, 2025, the Birch Glacier collapsed under the huge weight of rocks from the crumbling Kleines Nesthorn mountain, wiping out the small village of Blatten in southern Switzerland. The disaster dominated discussions at an international landslide conference held in November in Lausanne, where over 60 experts gathered to understand how such an event unfolded — and how to anticipate the next one.

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Listening: Understanding the Blatten disaster

This content was published on December 17, 2025 - 09:51

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I am an experienced video journalist passionate about making complex topics accessible and engaging through compelling multimedia storytelling. Focused on social and environmental issues, I produce various video formats on a wide range of topics, specialising in impactful explainer videos with motion graphics and stop-motion animation. During my studies in cinema, English literature and journalism, I’ve gained experience in radio, television, and print across Switzerland. After working with the Locarno Film Festival’s image & sound team, I joined SWI swissinfo.ch in 2018 to produce local and international reportages.

I am a climate and science/technology reporter. I am interested in the effects of climate change on everyday life and scientific solutions. Born in London, I am a dual citizen of Switzerland and the UK. After studying modern languages and translation, I trained as a journalist and joined swissinfo.ch in 2006. My working languages are English, German, French and Spanish.

Professor Johan Gaume from ETH Zurich demonstrates his 3D simulation tool that accurately modelled the 10-million-cubic-metre rock-ice release in Blatten earlier this year.

Climate adaptation

Unstable slopes and warming peaks: Scientists race to understand Blatten collapse

This content was published on Dec 12, 2025 The collapse of the Birch Glacier that wiped out the Swiss village of Blatten has triggered an unprecedented scientific effort to understand how it happened – and what might come next.

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Understanding the Blatten disaster

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Unstable slopes and warming peaks: Scientists race to understand Blatten collapse

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