Nils Hählen
@nilshaehlen.bsky.social
Passionate about mountains and natural hazards, Head of Natural Hazards Division at the Office of Forests and Natural Hazards Canton Bern, Switzerland
Reposted by Nils Hählen
New paper from our group, led by PhD student @beerjanosch.bsky.social: "Polythermal conditions in small glaciers in the Swiss Alps"
The paper presents a comprehensive borehole and radar dataset on the thermal structure of six small Swiss glaciers.
doi.org/10.5194/tc-2...
The paper presents a comprehensive borehole and radar dataset on the thermal structure of six small Swiss glaciers.
doi.org/10.5194/tc-2...
Polythermal conditions in small glaciers in the Swiss Alps
Abstract. Englacial temperature measurements in the Alps remain sparse and biased toward high-elevation accumulation areas, leaving the thermal state of ablation zones poorly constrained. Here, we pre...
doi.org
September 23, 2026 at 4:28 PM
New paper from our group, led by PhD student @beerjanosch.bsky.social: "Polythermal conditions in small glaciers in the Swiss Alps"
The paper presents a comprehensive borehole and radar dataset on the thermal structure of six small Swiss glaciers.
doi.org/10.5194/tc-2...
The paper presents a comprehensive borehole and radar dataset on the thermal structure of six small Swiss glaciers.
doi.org/10.5194/tc-2...
Reposted by Nils Hählen
What are known causal factors behind rock-ice avalanche near Nepal–Tibet border? @wwattribution.bsky.social Vulnerable slope, potentially weakened by 2015 earthquake, definitely destabilised by climate change through glacier retreat & permafrost thaw. www.worldweatherattribution.org/rapid-warmin...
September 17, 2026 at 9:18 AM
What are known causal factors behind rock-ice avalanche near Nepal–Tibet border? @wwattribution.bsky.social Vulnerable slope, potentially weakened by 2015 earthquake, definitely destabilised by climate change through glacier retreat & permafrost thaw. www.worldweatherattribution.org/rapid-warmin...
Reposted by Nils Hählen
🧊🔥 6 meters !🔥🧊
This is what the largest glacier in the Alps has lost at Konkordiaplatz at 2900 m asl during the insane 2026 summer !
'No words' as @matthias-huss.bsky.social (pictured here) said! 😲😱
📷 A. Linsbauer
This is what the largest glacier in the Alps has lost at Konkordiaplatz at 2900 m asl during the insane 2026 summer !
'No words' as @matthias-huss.bsky.social (pictured here) said! 😲😱
📷 A. Linsbauer
September 15, 2026 at 4:44 PM
🧊🔥 6 meters !🔥🧊
This is what the largest glacier in the Alps has lost at Konkordiaplatz at 2900 m asl during the insane 2026 summer !
'No words' as @matthias-huss.bsky.social (pictured here) said! 😲😱
📷 A. Linsbauer
This is what the largest glacier in the Alps has lost at Konkordiaplatz at 2900 m asl during the insane 2026 summer !
'No words' as @matthias-huss.bsky.social (pictured here) said! 😲😱
📷 A. Linsbauer
Reposted by Nils Hählen
The Engineering Geology group at ETH Zurich is looking for doctoral student in debris flow monitoring with focus on deriving velocity and flow depth estimates at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions by analysing point cloud and camera data. #phd #jobalert
www.jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/12038
www.jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/12038
Doctoral Position in Debris Flow Monitoring
The Engineering Geology Group, (Prof. Dr. Jordan Aaron, Geological Institute) is looking for a creative and motivated doctoral candidate with a strong interest in debris flows mechanisms, field…
www.jobs.ethz.ch
August 21, 2026 at 9:32 AM
The Engineering Geology group at ETH Zurich is looking for doctoral student in debris flow monitoring with focus on deriving velocity and flow depth estimates at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions by analysing point cloud and camera data. #phd #jobalert
www.jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/12038
www.jobs.ethz.ch/job/view/12038
Reposted by Nils Hählen
🍁🚣🏼♀️Waldbäume färbten sich schon im Juli braun, Gewässer hatten rekordtiefe Wasserstände: Der Sommer 2026 war extrem trocken und heiss. Experten und Expertinnen von WSL und SLF antworten auf häufige Fragen. www.wsl.ch/de/metanavig... #Trockenheit #Wassermangel #forestecology #Wald #Energie #Hitze
Trockenheit 2026: Häufige Fragen und Antworten
Die Eidg. Forschungsanstalt WSL untersucht Wald, Landschaft, Biodiversität, Naturgefahren sowie Schnee und Eis. Sie gehört zum ETH-Bereich.
www.wsl.ch
August 21, 2026 at 9:39 AM
🍁🚣🏼♀️Waldbäume färbten sich schon im Juli braun, Gewässer hatten rekordtiefe Wasserstände: Der Sommer 2026 war extrem trocken und heiss. Experten und Expertinnen von WSL und SLF antworten auf häufige Fragen. www.wsl.ch/de/metanavig... #Trockenheit #Wassermangel #forestecology #Wald #Energie #Hitze
Reposted by Nils Hählen
🍁 Trees in Europe are increasingly dying prematurely. A new WSL study on French #forests now shows that it is not only extremely dry summers but #climate anomalies in general that are driving tree mortality – particularly warm and wet springs: www.wsl.ch/en/news/why-...
@lsce-ipsl.bsky.social 🌍
@lsce-ipsl.bsky.social 🌍
Why Europe’s trees are dying
Deviations from the usual climate are causing trees to die prematurely. Even favourable growing conditions can have a negative impact.
www.wsl.ch
July 7, 2026 at 7:09 AM
🍁 Trees in Europe are increasingly dying prematurely. A new WSL study on French #forests now shows that it is not only extremely dry summers but #climate anomalies in general that are driving tree mortality – particularly warm and wet springs: www.wsl.ch/en/news/why-...
@lsce-ipsl.bsky.social 🌍
@lsce-ipsl.bsky.social 🌍
Reposted by Nils Hählen
New preprint from our group! Our PhD student Janosch Beer and several VAW members present a borehole thermometry and radar dataset on englacial temperatures across 6 small Swiss glaciers.
The paper is open for community discussion on EGUsphere!
Preprint: doi.org/10.5194/egus...
The paper is open for community discussion on EGUsphere!
Preprint: doi.org/10.5194/egus...
June 17, 2026 at 1:48 PM
New preprint from our group! Our PhD student Janosch Beer and several VAW members present a borehole thermometry and radar dataset on englacial temperatures across 6 small Swiss glaciers.
The paper is open for community discussion on EGUsphere!
Preprint: doi.org/10.5194/egus...
The paper is open for community discussion on EGUsphere!
Preprint: doi.org/10.5194/egus...
Reposted by Nils Hählen
"Die Vorstellung eines Klebers, der den Berg zusammenhält, ist für grosse Hanginstabilitäten [...] unpassend", sagt #SLF Forscher Robert Kenner über die gängige Meinung, #Permafrost sei wie ein Kleber.
Details: www.slf.ch/de/news/perm...
📷️ 1: Marcello Negrini / 2: Stefan Suhner
#CERC
Details: www.slf.ch/de/news/perm...
📷️ 1: Marcello Negrini / 2: Stefan Suhner
#CERC
Permafrost – das dünne Eis des Kenntnisstands
Was haben tauender Permafrost und schmelzende Gletscher mit Felsstürzen zu tun? Permafrost-Forscher Robert Kenner fasst zusammen.
www.slf.ch
May 26, 2026 at 12:24 PM
"Die Vorstellung eines Klebers, der den Berg zusammenhält, ist für grosse Hanginstabilitäten [...] unpassend", sagt #SLF Forscher Robert Kenner über die gängige Meinung, #Permafrost sei wie ein Kleber.
Details: www.slf.ch/de/news/perm...
📷️ 1: Marcello Negrini / 2: Stefan Suhner
#CERC
Details: www.slf.ch/de/news/perm...
📷️ 1: Marcello Negrini / 2: Stefan Suhner
#CERC
Reposted by Nils Hählen
1/3 The #GLAMOS winter snow accumulation report for Swiss glaciers in 2026 is out! Snow depth measurements on 25 glaciers across Switzerland were carried out in April/May together with colleagues from the Universities of Zurich and Fribourg. #Glaciology #SwissGlaciers
May 8, 2026 at 7:00 AM
1/3 The #GLAMOS winter snow accumulation report for Swiss glaciers in 2026 is out! Snow depth measurements on 25 glaciers across Switzerland were carried out in April/May together with colleagues from the Universities of Zurich and Fribourg. #Glaciology #SwissGlaciers
Reposted by Nils Hählen
Our paper (me, @drewbrayshaw.bsky.social and Carie-Ann Hancock) providing highlights for British Columbia from the preliminary Canadian landslide database is now available at
cmscontent.nrs.gov.bc.ca/geoscience/P...
A bit thanks for all the 15 contributors for their ongoing support.
cmscontent.nrs.gov.bc.ca/geoscience/P...
A bit thanks for all the 15 contributors for their ongoing support.
April 13, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Our paper (me, @drewbrayshaw.bsky.social and Carie-Ann Hancock) providing highlights for British Columbia from the preliminary Canadian landslide database is now available at
cmscontent.nrs.gov.bc.ca/geoscience/P...
A bit thanks for all the 15 contributors for their ongoing support.
cmscontent.nrs.gov.bc.ca/geoscience/P...
A bit thanks for all the 15 contributors for their ongoing support.
Reposted by Nils Hählen
Weathered rock layers beneath the soil influence how groundwater moves during storms. The findings of a new study, led by ETH Zurich researcher Seulgi Moon (formerly UCLA), help explain when and where shallow landslides occur and could improve hazard prediction.
A new study improves prediction of shallow landslides
Weathered rock layers beneath the soil influence how groundwater moves during storms. The findings help explain when and where shallow landslides occur and could improve hazard prediction.
eaps.ethz.ch
April 8, 2026 at 9:32 AM
Weathered rock layers beneath the soil influence how groundwater moves during storms. The findings of a new study, led by ETH Zurich researcher Seulgi Moon (formerly UCLA), help explain when and where shallow landslides occur and could improve hazard prediction.
Reposted by Nils Hählen
Der #Klimawandel schreitet voran. In der Schweiz ist es im Jahresmittel bereits rund 3 °C wärmer als in der vorindustriellen Zeit. Eine neue Darstellung zeigt, wann in den verschiedenen Jahreszeiten eine Erwärmung von 1, 2 und 3 °C erreicht wurde. MeteoSchweiz-Blog: https://bit.ly/4tRF7IT
April 7, 2026 at 9:15 AM
Der #Klimawandel schreitet voran. In der Schweiz ist es im Jahresmittel bereits rund 3 °C wärmer als in der vorindustriellen Zeit. Eine neue Darstellung zeigt, wann in den verschiedenen Jahreszeiten eine Erwärmung von 1, 2 und 3 °C erreicht wurde. MeteoSchweiz-Blog: https://bit.ly/4tRF7IT
Reposted by Nils Hählen
📢 Paper alert!
Anja Rubin et al. used surface exposure dating and runout modelling to elucidate the triggering mechanisms of the Sierre landslide, providing insights into landscape dynamics during the transition to the Holocene.
Read more at ⬇️
sjg.pensoft.net/article/1803...
Anja Rubin et al. used surface exposure dating and runout modelling to elucidate the triggering mechanisms of the Sierre landslide, providing insights into landscape dynamics during the transition to the Holocene.
Read more at ⬇️
sjg.pensoft.net/article/1803...
The Sierre landslide: chronology, dynamics, and insights into Alpine post-glacial instabilities
Today, natural disasters in alpine valleys pose a continuous threat to urban areas and infrastructure. Investigating past mass movements and assessing their return periods enhances our ability to pred...
sjg.pensoft.net
March 24, 2026 at 10:02 AM
📢 Paper alert!
Anja Rubin et al. used surface exposure dating and runout modelling to elucidate the triggering mechanisms of the Sierre landslide, providing insights into landscape dynamics during the transition to the Holocene.
Read more at ⬇️
sjg.pensoft.net/article/1803...
Anja Rubin et al. used surface exposure dating and runout modelling to elucidate the triggering mechanisms of the Sierre landslide, providing insights into landscape dynamics during the transition to the Holocene.
Read more at ⬇️
sjg.pensoft.net/article/1803...
Reposted by Nils Hählen
A new Perspective paper in Nature Communications Earth & Environment compares the 2021 Chamoli disaster with the recent Blatten avalanche. Why did one kill >200 people while the other caused only one casualty?
Link to paper: www.nature.com/articles/s43...
Link to paper: www.nature.com/articles/s43...
March 6, 2026 at 5:11 PM
A new Perspective paper in Nature Communications Earth & Environment compares the 2021 Chamoli disaster with the recent Blatten avalanche. Why did one kill >200 people while the other caused only one casualty?
Link to paper: www.nature.com/articles/s43...
Link to paper: www.nature.com/articles/s43...
Reposted by Nils Hählen
🏔️❄️New book chapter on GLACIAL HAZARDS now published in ‘Comprehensive Cryospheric Science and Environmental Change’.
Covers paraglacial landslides, permafrost degradation, ice &snow avalanches, glacier detachments, GLOFs, ice-volcano interactions
Full: lnkd.in/eGtqQf8H
Pre-print: lnkd.in/ek59Swfu
Covers paraglacial landslides, permafrost degradation, ice &snow avalanches, glacier detachments, GLOFs, ice-volcano interactions
Full: lnkd.in/eGtqQf8H
Pre-print: lnkd.in/ek59Swfu
March 4, 2026 at 2:48 PM
🏔️❄️New book chapter on GLACIAL HAZARDS now published in ‘Comprehensive Cryospheric Science and Environmental Change’.
Covers paraglacial landslides, permafrost degradation, ice &snow avalanches, glacier detachments, GLOFs, ice-volcano interactions
Full: lnkd.in/eGtqQf8H
Pre-print: lnkd.in/ek59Swfu
Covers paraglacial landslides, permafrost degradation, ice &snow avalanches, glacier detachments, GLOFs, ice-volcano interactions
Full: lnkd.in/eGtqQf8H
Pre-print: lnkd.in/ek59Swfu
Reposted by Nils Hählen
🔥📢 Call for Papers on Wildfires in a Changing #Climate: Impacts, #Adaptation, & Policy.
This Special Issue seeks submissions that examine the economic & welfare consequences of #wildfires & smoke & evaluate policy responses.
⏰ Deadline 30 Sept 2026
🔗 tinyurl.com/ryn3epjd
#OurChangingMountains
This Special Issue seeks submissions that examine the economic & welfare consequences of #wildfires & smoke & evaluate policy responses.
⏰ Deadline 30 Sept 2026
🔗 tinyurl.com/ryn3epjd
#OurChangingMountains
March 3, 2026 at 2:16 PM
🔥📢 Call for Papers on Wildfires in a Changing #Climate: Impacts, #Adaptation, & Policy.
This Special Issue seeks submissions that examine the economic & welfare consequences of #wildfires & smoke & evaluate policy responses.
⏰ Deadline 30 Sept 2026
🔗 tinyurl.com/ryn3epjd
#OurChangingMountains
This Special Issue seeks submissions that examine the economic & welfare consequences of #wildfires & smoke & evaluate policy responses.
⏰ Deadline 30 Sept 2026
🔗 tinyurl.com/ryn3epjd
#OurChangingMountains
Reposted by Nils Hählen
Our February 2026 MRI Newsletter is out now!🗞️✨
Glacier news, mountain updates, new research, & community announcements from around the world. Take a look & stay connected with what’s happening in #OurChangingMountains.
🔗 tinyurl.com/MRINewslette...
#MountainResearch #ResearchFunding #ResearchNews
Glacier news, mountain updates, new research, & community announcements from around the world. Take a look & stay connected with what’s happening in #OurChangingMountains.
🔗 tinyurl.com/MRINewslette...
#MountainResearch #ResearchFunding #ResearchNews
February 27, 2026 at 9:23 AM
Our February 2026 MRI Newsletter is out now!🗞️✨
Glacier news, mountain updates, new research, & community announcements from around the world. Take a look & stay connected with what’s happening in #OurChangingMountains.
🔗 tinyurl.com/MRINewslette...
#MountainResearch #ResearchFunding #ResearchNews
Glacier news, mountain updates, new research, & community announcements from around the world. Take a look & stay connected with what’s happening in #OurChangingMountains.
🔗 tinyurl.com/MRINewslette...
#MountainResearch #ResearchFunding #ResearchNews
Reposted by Nils Hählen
Avalanche winter of 1951:
They are the cheapest and most important form of avalanche protection in terms of area – and they grow back naturally: forests. What the SLF researched after the avalanche winter of 1951: www.slf.ch/en/news/aval...
#SLF #SLFDavos #Snow #Avalanche #Winter #forest
They are the cheapest and most important form of avalanche protection in terms of area – and they grow back naturally: forests. What the SLF researched after the avalanche winter of 1951: www.slf.ch/en/news/aval...
#SLF #SLFDavos #Snow #Avalanche #Winter #forest
February 9, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Avalanche winter of 1951:
They are the cheapest and most important form of avalanche protection in terms of area – and they grow back naturally: forests. What the SLF researched after the avalanche winter of 1951: www.slf.ch/en/news/aval...
#SLF #SLFDavos #Snow #Avalanche #Winter #forest
They are the cheapest and most important form of avalanche protection in terms of area – and they grow back naturally: forests. What the SLF researched after the avalanche winter of 1951: www.slf.ch/en/news/aval...
#SLF #SLFDavos #Snow #Avalanche #Winter #forest
Reposted by Nils Hählen
The ETH Swiss GeoLab, a newly established applied research facility, is recruiting an experienced administrative professional as Office Manager. Be part of the pioneering GeoLab and contribute to its operational foundations and workplace culture.
Office Manager at ETH Swiss GeoLab
ETH Zurich is establishing the ETH Swiss GeoLab, a pioneering applied research facility located in Lucerne (initially based in Zurich). The GeoLab focuses on multidisciplinary collaboration and…
www.jobs.ethz.ch
February 6, 2026 at 10:32 AM
The ETH Swiss GeoLab, a newly established applied research facility, is recruiting an experienced administrative professional as Office Manager. Be part of the pioneering GeoLab and contribute to its operational foundations and workplace culture.
Reposted by Nils Hählen
#Job am #SLF in #Davos: Für die Forschungsgruppe #Schutzmassnahmen suchen wir eine/n neue/n Mitarbeiter/in. Zu den Aufgaben gehören u.a. Gutachter- und Beratertätigkeit und die Planung von Schutzmassnahmen.
Alle Infos und Bewerbung: apply.refline.ch/273855/1836/...
Alle Infos und Bewerbung: apply.refline.ch/273855/1836/...
January 28, 2026 at 7:31 AM
#Job am #SLF in #Davos: Für die Forschungsgruppe #Schutzmassnahmen suchen wir eine/n neue/n Mitarbeiter/in. Zu den Aufgaben gehören u.a. Gutachter- und Beratertätigkeit und die Planung von Schutzmassnahmen.
Alle Infos und Bewerbung: apply.refline.ch/273855/1836/...
Alle Infos und Bewerbung: apply.refline.ch/273855/1836/...
Reposted by Nils Hählen
🌄 New #MeteoSwiss research: Swiss lowlands heat up faster in autumn & winter as fog declines, while mid-elevations warm more in spring due to snow loss.
➡️ Some popular #climate datasets miss these elevation-specific signals entirely. Time-consistent, high-resolution observations matter. 🌍❄️
➡️ Some popular #climate datasets miss these elevation-specific signals entirely. Time-consistent, high-resolution observations matter. 🌍❄️
⛰️🌡️ Switzerland isn’t warming evenly & #OurChangingMountains are telling the story.
New #MeteoSwiss research shows lowlands heat up faster in autumn & winter as fog declines, while mid-elevations warm more in spring due to snow loss.
📖 Read more: bit.ly/4aji5mZ
#MountainResearch #ClimateData #Alps
New #MeteoSwiss research shows lowlands heat up faster in autumn & winter as fog declines, while mid-elevations warm more in spring due to snow loss.
📖 Read more: bit.ly/4aji5mZ
#MountainResearch #ClimateData #Alps
January 28, 2026 at 3:58 PM
🌄 New #MeteoSwiss research: Swiss lowlands heat up faster in autumn & winter as fog declines, while mid-elevations warm more in spring due to snow loss.
➡️ Some popular #climate datasets miss these elevation-specific signals entirely. Time-consistent, high-resolution observations matter. 🌍❄️
➡️ Some popular #climate datasets miss these elevation-specific signals entirely. Time-consistent, high-resolution observations matter. 🌍❄️
Reposted by Nils Hählen
Als direkte Demokratie braucht die Schweiz vielfältige & unabhängige Medien. Über 600 Professor:innen aus allen Sprachregionen & Disziplinen setzen sich deshalb ein für einen starken Service public und sagen «Nein» zur Halbierungsinitiative.
➡️ www.wissenschaft-fuer-den-service-public.ch
➡️ www.wissenschaft-fuer-den-service-public.ch
Professorinnen und Professoren gegen die Halbierungsinitiative – Warum wir Professorinnen und Professoren uns für einen starken Service public einsetzen und die SRG-Halbierungsinitiative ablehnen
www.wissenschaft-fuer-den-service-public.ch
January 26, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Als direkte Demokratie braucht die Schweiz vielfältige & unabhängige Medien. Über 600 Professor:innen aus allen Sprachregionen & Disziplinen setzen sich deshalb ein für einen starken Service public und sagen «Nein» zur Halbierungsinitiative.
➡️ www.wissenschaft-fuer-den-service-public.ch
➡️ www.wissenschaft-fuer-den-service-public.ch
Reposted by Nils Hählen
Throwback Thursday ⏪ In case you missed past posts from our blog 👀
Today we are heading to Switzerland 🇨🇭, where Christophe Lambiel answers our questions about the Blatten landslide that occurred in May 2025.
Check the article to learn more about the event: blogs.egu.eu/divisions/nh...
#EGUblogs
Today we are heading to Switzerland 🇨🇭, where Christophe Lambiel answers our questions about the Blatten landslide that occurred in May 2025.
Check the article to learn more about the event: blogs.egu.eu/divisions/nh...
#EGUblogs
The Blatten landslide in Switzerland
In the morning of May 28, 2025, the picturesque Swiss alpine village of Blatten sat quiet and serene in the Lötschen Valley. Exceptionally quiet, in fact, as the village was evacuated on May…
blogs.egu.eu
January 22, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Throwback Thursday ⏪ In case you missed past posts from our blog 👀
Today we are heading to Switzerland 🇨🇭, where Christophe Lambiel answers our questions about the Blatten landslide that occurred in May 2025.
Check the article to learn more about the event: blogs.egu.eu/divisions/nh...
#EGUblogs
Today we are heading to Switzerland 🇨🇭, where Christophe Lambiel answers our questions about the Blatten landslide that occurred in May 2025.
Check the article to learn more about the event: blogs.egu.eu/divisions/nh...
#EGUblogs
Reposted by Nils Hählen
A new article by Jean Miczka and colleagues analyzes how mountain huts in the western European Alps are being adapted to climate change, what the challenges are, and how adaptation could be improved. Recommendations include ensuring long-term coordination. Find out more: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....
January 13, 2026 at 10:03 AM
A new article by Jean Miczka and colleagues analyzes how mountain huts in the western European Alps are being adapted to climate change, what the challenges are, and how adaptation could be improved. Recommendations include ensuring long-term coordination. Find out more: doi.org/10.1659/mrd....
Reposted by Nils Hählen
How do avalanches affect pylons and other sensitive #infrastructure? Using detailed #simulations, #SLF researcher @mjkohler.bsky.social shows that the compressibility of #snow initially reduces #avalanche pressure, but that at high speeds this buffer suddenly fails.
More: www.slf.ch/en/news/aval...
More: www.slf.ch/en/news/aval...
January 7, 2026 at 9:41 AM
How do avalanches affect pylons and other sensitive #infrastructure? Using detailed #simulations, #SLF researcher @mjkohler.bsky.social shows that the compressibility of #snow initially reduces #avalanche pressure, but that at high speeds this buffer suddenly fails.
More: www.slf.ch/en/news/aval...
More: www.slf.ch/en/news/aval...