Since 2018, the Norwegian Geological Survey (NGU) has closely followed the mountain section Skutshorn in Valdres. The findings are so serious that the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE) believes that there is a need for continuous monitoring. – The consequences of a landslide are considered major, says geologist at NVE, Kjetil Indrevær. RACE: This is the area that can erupt. A landslide could have major consequences for Vang center, which is located on the opposite side of Vangsmjøse, which can be seen at the bottom of the picture. Photo: Reginald Hermanns / NGU Moves three cm a year There are several such unstable mountain ranges in Norway. The most famous are Åkneset in Geiranger, and Mannen i Romsdalen, which partially collapsed last year. Skutshorn will be the tenth mountain with 24-hour monitoring in Norway. Experience shows that such landslides warn themselves. It occurs during prolonged, slow movements in the rock masses. The movements are typically a few millimeters to around ten cm per. years over decades or centuries, according to NVE. Skutshorn moves around three cm a year. – The danger of landslides is so great that the municipality must take it into account. They must make plans for emergency preparedness, municipal plans and so on, says Indrevær in NVE. The probability is 101 to 1000. Mayor Vidar Eltun says they are now happy that there will be monitoring of the mountain. – People have no reason to be nervous. Good notification routines are initiated. But of course we take this very seriously, he says. SERIOUS: Vidar Eltun says they take the message about the danger of landslides seriously. Now they will make further plans together with, among others, the State Administrator in the Interior. Photo: Alexander Nordby / news Can cause tidal waves The unstable mountain range is located 600 meters above Lake Vangsmjøse. If the rock erupts, it could hit the lake. This in turn will create a tidal wave against the opposite side of the water. There is the municipal center in Vang, shops, school, kindergarten, farms and residential buildings. Thus, a possible tidal wave will have major consequences. FROM THE TOP: Skutshorn seen from the top of the mountain side. Vangsmjøse below. There are also some buildings on the same side of the water as the mountain, but not directly below the mountain. Photo: Gustav Pless / NVE The Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI) is now working on a detailed model of how such a tidal wave could hit. This will be completed during the autumn of 2022. – It is not in any way certain that the mountain will erupt, nor that it will erupt so that it creates a tidal wave. But it is important to put in place a monitoring, says Indrevær. A total of 1579 inhabitants live in Vang. Jorun Petersen is one of them. She thinks about what might happen if the mountain collapses. – It can be serious. Especially for those who live at the bottom of Vangsmjøsa, she says. REMEMBER: Jorun Petersen lives in Vang. She thinks about what can happen if it erupts from Skutshorn. Photo: Alexander Nordby / news Should have a contingency plan NVE is now asking Vang municipality to establish a contingency plan. This should be done in collaboration with the State Administrator, the police and other relevant actors. This includes systems for alerting the population and a plan for evacuation. In a meeting on 28 June, the municipality and the State Administrator in the Inland were informed about what is happening around Skutshorn.
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NVE starts monitoring of the mountain Skutshorn in Vang municipality. Can give tidal wave if it erupts – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
