‘Randomness and chaos’: The invisible, unpredictable forces behind fatal rockfall
The recent deadly rockslide in Banff National Park has left experts puzzled as they try to determine the cause behind the tragic event. Geomorphologist Daniel Shugar from the University of Calgary has pointed to water flowing through the interior of the mountain as a key factor in triggering the rockfall. Images of the aftermath show springs coming out of the cliff, indicating that water from a lake above Bow Glacier Falls had been seeping through rocks for decades, eventually dislodging a boulder and setting off the rockslide.
Shugar explained that the lake has been in existence since 1955, with water from the lake and the retreating glacier gradually applying pressure to the rocks, leading to the eventual rockfall. Despite the buildup of forces over many years, Shugar and other scientists agree that predicting or preventing such a massive rockfall would have been impossible for Parks Canada.
Mining engineering professor Davide Elmo from the University of British Columbia emphasized that predicting rockfalls is challenging because it is difficult to see what is happening inside a rock face from the outside. He stated that while rockfalls cannot be stopped, officials can only warn the public about the risks in areas prone to such events.
The rockfall in Banff National Park took place in a popular trail area, catching hikers off guard. John J. Clague, an Earth sciences professor at Simon Fraser University, noted that predicting the exact location of a rockfall is tough without prior indications. He mentioned that the landscape in Banff and Jasper is marked with cones from past rockfalls, highlighting the unpredictable nature of such events.
Experts agreed that the rockfall was a result of a series of unfortunate events, with people being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Climate change has also been cited as a contributing factor, with glaciers in Canada undergoing thinning and retreating due to warming temperatures. This incident is seen as a consequence of climate change, as the rockfall could not have occurred until the glacier face was completely free of ice.
In conclusion, the tragic rockslide in Banff National Park serves as a reminder of the unpredictable forces of nature and the importance of being cautious in areas prone to rockfalls. Authorities are urged to provide adequate warnings to the public about the risks associated with such events, emphasizing the need to prioritize safety in natural environments.
