All articles tagged with #alps
A dramatic clip from Val Veny near Courmayeur, Italy shows dozens of skiers being enveloped by an avalanche, highlighting ongoing avalanche danger in Europe’s Alps amid a spate of deadly slides that have killed dozens this year; The Daily Beast notes it cannot verify if this clip is the same incident that left two people dead nearby, as officials tally Alpine fatalities (including 27 in the French Alps this year).
An avalanche in the French Alps near Val d’Isère killed three people (two Britons and a French national) from a group of five off-piste skiers; one Briton was injured, the instructor was unharmed, and a manslaughter investigation has been opened.
Thirteen backcountry skiers, climbers, and hikers died in avalanches along Italy's Alpine crescent as the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics began; authorities say 10 of the deaths were caused by an unstable snowpack from fresh snowfall and wind, with incidents on ungroomed slopes away from Olympic sites in Lombardy, Veneto and Trentino's Val di Fiemme. The Alpine Rescue Corps also rescued U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn after a fall, while rescuers noted no avalanche danger at managed resorts and urged backcountry travelers to heed avalanche bulletins until the snowpack stabilizes.
NASA’s Parker Solar Probe delivered unprecedented close-up data from the Sun’s corona, enabling researchers to use the Arbitrary Linear Plasma Solver (ALPS) to analyze how particles respond to waves in the Sun’s plasma. The study shows how heating and damping shape the solar wind near the Sun, with cooling of particles occurring more gradually than expected as they stream outward—improving space weather forecasts and informing similar plasma processes in the universe.
Six people were killed in separate avalanches across the French Alps over the weekend as authorities warned of extreme avalanche danger (levels 4–5) and urged against off-piste skiing; the fatalities occurred in Val d’Isère, Arêches-Beaufort, Courchevel, La Plagne and Vallorcine, with rescue teams frustrated by non‑compliance and many backcountry skiers lacking essential safety gear, while hundreds sought shelter due to travel disruptions.
The article highlights the top six ski destinations for 2026, including Alta Badia in Italy, Big Sky in Montana, Banff in Canada, Furano in Japan, Méribel in France, and Queenstown in New Zealand, emphasizing new openings, snow reliability, and unique experiences for travelers.
Italian officials discovered thousands of well-preserved dinosaur footprints dating back 210 million years in Stelvio National Park, near the sites of the 2026 Winter Olympics, marking the first such find in Lombardy and offering new insights into prehistoric life in the region.
Glaciers in the European Alps are projected to reach their peak rate of extinction in eight years, with over 100 expected to vanish permanently by 2033, driven by human-caused global warming. Similar rapid losses are forecasted in North America and other regions, with significant implications for ecosystems, water resources, and cultural heritage. Urgent climate action and adaptation strategies are needed to mitigate these impacts.
A recent study warns that Europe's Alps could lose 97% of their glaciers by the end of the century due to climate change, highlighting significant environmental concerns. The article also touches on political debates over the EU's green policies and climate action efforts, including the car industry and international climate summits.
Five German climbers, including a 17-year-old girl, died in an avalanche in the Italian Alps near South Tyrol while attempting to summit Cima Vertana, with rescue efforts ongoing for two others who fell about 200 meters. The avalanche occurred at around 3,500 meters altitude, possibly triggered by wind or recent snow accumulation, highlighting the persistent danger of avalanches in the region.
Europe is experiencing an unprecedented heat wave with record temperatures across the continent, fueled by a heat dome originating from Africa, affecting regions from Spain and Portugal to the Alps and Eastern Europe, marking one of the hottest Junes on record.
A Swiss village, Blatten, was destroyed after a glacier collapse caused a landslide, blocking a river and creating a flood risk, with authorities evacuating residents beforehand. The event was linked to climate change-induced glacier instability, and one person remains missing amid efforts to manage the emerging flood.
A hiker in the Italian Alps discovered 280-million-year-old fossils, revealing a prehistoric ecosystem from the Permian period, predating dinosaurs. The melting ice, due to climate change, exposed well-preserved footprints of ancient reptiles, amphibians, and insects. This significant find, made at high altitudes, offers insights into life before the age of dinosaurs and highlights the impact of climate change on uncovering hidden paleontological treasures.
The remains of 2 1/2-year-old Emile Soleil, who went missing in the Alps last summer, have been found, bringing a tragic end to the search. The discovery was made by a woman walking in a previously searched area, and genetic testing confirmed the identity of the remains. Emile's parents, devout Catholics, expressed their sorrow in a statement, while the local mayor acknowledged the long road to recovery from the loss. The cause of death remains unknown, and a forensic investigation is ongoing.
French investigators have positively identified the remains found near the mountain village of Le Vernet as those of a 2-year-old boy who went missing in July last year. The toddler disappeared while on a visit to his grandparents, leading to a large-scale search involving police, soldiers, and sniffer dogs. The cause of death is still unknown, and further analysis of the bones will take place as authorities continue their investigation.