Articles | Volume 21, issue 8
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-2461-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-21-2461-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Geographic-information-system-based topographic reconstruction and geomechanical modelling of the Köfels rockslide
Christian Zangerl
CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, Institute of Applied Geology, University of Natural Resources and Life
Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, 1190, Austria
Annemarie Schneeberger
Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, Institute of Applied Geology, University of Natural Resources and Life
Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, 1190, Austria
Institute of Geography, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, 6020,
Austria
Georg Steiner
Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, Institute of Applied Geology, University of Natural Resources and Life
Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, 1190, Austria
Amt der Kärntner Landesregierung, Klagenfurt, 9021, Austria
Martin Mergili
Department of Civil Engineering and Natural Hazards, Institute of Applied Geology, University of Natural Resources and Life
Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, 1190, Austria
Department of Geography and Regional Science, University of Graz,
Graz, 8010, Austria
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Cited
14 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Deciphering the dynamics of a Younger Dryas rock avalanche in the Bernese Alps G. Bucher et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s00015-024-00470-7
- Numerical analysis of subgrade slope stability in catchment area under extreme rainfall X. Cui et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-026-05245-y
- Rock mass characterisation and distinct element modelling of a deep-seated rock slide influenced by glacier retreat C. Rechberger & C. Zangerl https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.106584
- Analysis of Human Geography Space Based on Geographic Information System in the Context of Rural Revitalization E. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6217760
- Assessment of the landslide dams in Western Austria, Bavaria and Northern Italy (part of the Eastern Alps): Data inventory development and application of geomorphic indices R. Shafieiganjeh et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108403
- r.avaflow v4, a multi-purpose landslide simulation framework M. Mergili et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-9879-2025
- Study on the Rainfall–Reservoir Water Interaction Mechanism of Wading Landslides in Metamorphic Rock Areas Q. Guo et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16199526
- Slope stability evolution of a deep‐seated landslide considering a constantly deforming topography J. Pfeiffer et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5527
- The concept of event-size-dependent exhaustion and its application to paraglacial rockslides S. Hergarten https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-3051-2023
- The Sierre landslide: chronology, dynamics, and insights into Alpine post-glacial instabilities A. Rubin et al. https://doi.org/10.3897/sjg.119.180346
- From deglaciation to collapse: A thermo-mechanical reconstruction of permafrost control on the Köfels rock slide (Austria, 9.5 ka BP) F. Pfluger et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110604
- Mechanisms for the Formation of an Exceptionally Gently Inclined Basal Shear Zone of a Landslide in Glacial Sediments—The Ludoialm Case Study X. Dai et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116837
- Landslide Analysis with Incomplete Data: A Framework for Critical Parameter Estimation L. Guido & P. Santi https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics4030047
- Experimental study of ultra-high initial velocity of long-runout landslide Y. Du et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-026-08058-0
14 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Deciphering the dynamics of a Younger Dryas rock avalanche in the Bernese Alps G. Bucher et al. https://doi.org/10.1186/s00015-024-00470-7
- Numerical analysis of subgrade slope stability in catchment area under extreme rainfall X. Cui et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-026-05245-y
- Rock mass characterisation and distinct element modelling of a deep-seated rock slide influenced by glacier retreat C. Rechberger & C. Zangerl https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2022.106584
- Analysis of Human Geography Space Based on Geographic Information System in the Context of Rural Revitalization E. Zhang et al. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/6217760
- Assessment of the landslide dams in Western Austria, Bavaria and Northern Italy (part of the Eastern Alps): Data inventory development and application of geomorphic indices R. Shafieiganjeh et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108403
- r.avaflow v4, a multi-purpose landslide simulation framework M. Mergili et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-9879-2025
- Study on the Rainfall–Reservoir Water Interaction Mechanism of Wading Landslides in Metamorphic Rock Areas Q. Guo et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/app16199526
- Slope stability evolution of a deep‐seated landslide considering a constantly deforming topography J. Pfeiffer et al. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.5527
- The concept of event-size-dependent exhaustion and its application to paraglacial rockslides S. Hergarten https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-23-3051-2023
- The Sierre landslide: chronology, dynamics, and insights into Alpine post-glacial instabilities A. Rubin et al. https://doi.org/10.3897/sjg.119.180346
- From deglaciation to collapse: A thermo-mechanical reconstruction of permafrost control on the Köfels rock slide (Austria, 9.5 ka BP) F. Pfluger et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2026.110604
- Mechanisms for the Formation of an Exceptionally Gently Inclined Basal Shear Zone of a Landslide in Glacial Sediments—The Ludoialm Case Study X. Dai et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13116837
- Landslide Analysis with Incomplete Data: A Framework for Critical Parameter Estimation L. Guido & P. Santi https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics4030047
- Experimental study of ultra-high initial velocity of long-runout landslide Y. Du et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-026-08058-0
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 14 Nov 2026
Short summary
The Köfels rockslide in the Ötztal Valley (Austria) represents the largest known extremely rapid rockslide in metamorphic rock masses in the Alps and was formed in the early Holocene. Although many hypotheses for the conditioning and triggering factors were discussed in the past, until now no scientifically accepted explanatory model has been found. This study provides new data and numerical modelling results to better understand the cause and triggering factors of this gigantic natural event.
The Köfels rockslide in the Ötztal Valley (Austria) represents the largest known extremely...
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