The Miage Glacier in the Valley of Aosta (Western Alps, Italy) and the extraordinary detachment which occurred on August 9, 1996

Abstract

The Miage Glacier is the biggest in the Italian side of the Mont Blanc and is located a few km west of Courmayeur. The Miage lake is a typical periglacial lake that is found on the right hydrographical side of the glacier. The glacier high dynamics produces frequent falls of huge ice blocks into the lake representing an important tourist draw. On August 9, 1996, after a long period of heavy rain, a big ice block, with estimated volume in the range 7,000–16,000 cubic meters, fell into the lake provoking an anomalous water wave that involved many tourists, causing some persons to be seriously wounded.The main goal of this work is to stress that for alpine glaciers a correct policy of natural hazard mitigation must be founded both on a good scientific understanding of the glacier dynamics and on rigorous measures of prevention, that in case of conflict must have anyhow priorities on touristic activities.