Das Gschliefgraben-Rutschgebietam Traunsee-Ostufer (Gmunden/OO) —Ein Jahrtausende altes Spannungsfeldzwischen Mensch und Natur

摘要

The recent reactivation of the Gschliefgraben earthflow, which caused local destruction of houses in the city of Gmunden, Upper Austria, in2007/2008, has demonstrated once again that mass movements in the Buntmergel Group of the Ultrahelvetic, continue to threaten people and landuse in the Salzkammergut. Reports on catastrophic and destructive earthflow episodes from this region date back as far as the Middle Ages. A num-ber of scientists trained in earth and engineering sciences have been trying to unravel the dynamics and mitigate the adverse consequences of the con-spicuous and constantly replenished debris and earth cone that protrudes into the Traunsee. To the present day the Gschliefgraben continues to attractthe attention of those concerned with its hazards, be it scientists, residents, or decision makers. This particular example rekindles the discussion ofwhether man should learn from rather than fight against natural processes that are active in many mountains throughout the world. Is this a fightagainst windmills or a Sisyphos task? What are we to learn from recurring damage and fatalities brought about by naturally occurring processes?