(https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=HHS2oxkN&id=54A7DBAC306AC2797E408437E54396879ADF0C18&q=lawinen+engadin&simid=607991040646055575&selectedIndex=14&ajaxhist=0)
In the last 76 years, an average of 25 people, which totals
to 1884, have died in avalanche incidents in Switzerland (Techel, Zweifel,
2013). The numbers of tourism have been increasing in the last couple of years,
which has led to the expansion of settlements, also in the Engadin.
The main cause of these avalanches is permafrost, which has
been closely monitored and safety measurements have been built in its terrain
(Phillips, 2005). But new structures are being developed to ensure the safety of
the tourists in the region. Improved snow
supporting structures are being tested and one of their test sites is
Pontresina, Engadin, a tourist attraction (Phillips, 2005). Test site is the Laviner Giandains avalanche
gully, 36 degree steep, west oriented blocky slope, not only an avalanche risk
zone but also a potential release for large debris flows in summers (Phillips,
2005).
The results of these studies conducted in, to build at the end
of the gully an avalanche/ debris flow retention dam, that now will protect the
city of Pontresina and its tourism from the dangerous threat and it also helped
other regions around the world that suffer from dangers caused by permafrost
(Philipps, 2005).
(http://www.gletscherarchiv.de/die_folgen/pontresina-geschiebemauer-engadin-graubuenden-schweiz-22-9-2/)
Nevertheless, avalanche/debris flow retention dams, snow-supporting
structures, and others are no excuse to take your ski off course, because
avalanches still kill 25 people a year in Switzerland, on average, alone. So,
check the “Lawinenbulletin” website for Switzerland to ensure you won’t become
a victim to mass wasting (SLF, 2017). On this website, a useful resource for
every tourist coming to the Engadin, it is possible to check the risk level for
dry and wet avalanches in your area (SLF, 2017). It’s always better to be safe than sorry, when
it comes to the dangers of mass wasting, especially in areas where permafrost
causes them, since there is ways to contain them, but not to completely stop
them.
(https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=6f8Or9Fu&id=289DA9265543FA4653FD7F357115C92FB95C23DD&q=avalannche+warning+map+switzerland&simid=608054168072487629&selectedIndex=1&ajaxhist=0)
References:
Phillips, M. (2005, December 05). Avalanche Defence
Strategies and Monitoring of Two Sites in Mountain Permafrost Terrain,
Pontresina, Eastern Swiss Alps. Retrieved from
file:///C:/Users/ninas/Downloads/Avalanche_Defence_Strategies_and_Monitoring_of_Two.pdf
SLF, W. (n.d.). SLF > Avalanche bulletins > Avalanche
danger. Retrieved March 30, 2017, from
http://www.slf.ch/lawinenbulletin/lawinengefahr/index_EN
Techel, F., & Weifel, B. (2013). Recreational avalanche
accidents in Switzerland: Trends and patterns with an emphasis on burial,
rescue methods and avalanche danger. Retrieved March 27, 2017, from
http://www.slf.ch/praevention/lawinenunfaelle/Publikationen/Techel_Zweifel_Unfaelle_ISSW_2013_Paper.pdf
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