Protection against falling rock
Thursday, August 4, 2011 - 10:30
in Earth & Climate
In the mountains, rock falls occur at the end of fall and beginning of spring, when thermal variation is the greatest. Rockfall nets and other types of structures can be installed to protect the buildings and roads below. However, field observations have revealed that mountain forests play a protective role. They slow and can even stop the downward progression of rocks, thus constituting an ecological and economic alternative to man-made structures.