Glacial and Periglacial Hazards in the Alps: A Methodological Framework

Paper on hazards in glacial and periglacial environments, with a focus on knowledge, communication, and training

The technical paper is the result of a collective effort within the civil protection system, coordinated by the Department of Civil Protection-Presidency of the Council of Ministers, with the aim of providing methodological guidelines for the strategic areas of knowledge, communication, and training related to hazards in mountain, glacial, and periglacial environments, with particular attention to the challenges posed by current climate change.

The project involved civil protection entities, experts from the scientific community, regional administrations, and relevant organizations. Specifically, it developed methodological frameworks related to:

▪ the identification of the most hazardous glaciers and areas potentially affected by the evolution of unstable phenomena, including a proposal for defining monitoring criteria;

▪ the shared development of a coordinated strategy for communicating hazards in mountain areas, both in locations with a high frequency of visitors and in those with a low frequency of visitors;

▪ the definition of a training program for industry professionals, including mountain guides, technicians, and rescue workers.