Hjem
The Nordnes project
The regional mapping project for unstable rock zones has assessed Nordnes in Lyngen, as well as mapping other areas in the county of Troms in less detail.
Of the possible scenarios, a rockslide from Nordnes Mountain is likely to be the most dramatic, as it would affect most low-lying areas in the municipalities of Storfjord, Lyngen, Kåfjord and maybe even of Nordreisa.
The unstable rock mass at Nordnes is about 22 million cubic metres. Measurements have shown that the movements amount to approximately four to five centimetres annually. Cracks have been found that clearly indicate that there has been movement during the past few years.
Background
Central government authorities have stressed the need for improving capabilities for handling rock and land slides . Troms is one of three counties in which areas at risk have been identified. In 2005 the county governor therefore set up a meeting with the affected municipalities and NGU, the Geological Survey of Norway.
The meeting resulted in the project Fjellskred in Troms county. "Fjellskred" is a Norwegian word which translates as land and rock slides. The project is a collaboration between the municipalities of Lyngen, Storfjord, Gáivuona/Kåfjord, Tromsø and Kvæfjord. Lyngen has directorship of the programme. NGU is in charge of the project’s scientific aspects, specifically rock and land slides. Troms county municipality and the Norwegian Agricultural Authority are additional partners. In 2009 the project received NOK 13.75 million for construction of the world’s most advanced ground-based global positioning system. A total of 18 Global Positioning Systems have been installed on Nordnes mountain where they can register tiny movements in the rock bed, down to a few millimetres.
Because of the need for ground drilling, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate granted the project NOK 22 million in 2011. The funds are to be spent over a period of two years.
A new company named Nordnorsk Fjellovervåking IKS (Northern Norwegian Mountain Monitoring) was formed in 2011. The company’s partners are the municipalities of Kåfjord, Lyngen, Storfjord and Troms county municipality. The company was set up in order to monitor the potentially unstable rock zones at Nordnes in the county of Kåfjord as well as other unstable areas in the region. The company’s objectives include ownership, operation and maintenance of warning systems for land and rock slides in the municipalities that are at risk. The company also assists the municipalities that control its shares in drawing up municipal emergency plans free of charge.
Mapping and monitoring
Unstable rock zones can become a significant threat to the population, both through the actual rock slides and consequent flood waves in the fjords. If the area is mapped thoroughly, a monitoring and warning system can be put in place in case the mountain begins to shift and rock slides occur. First of all, the rock zones at risk must be identified. Next, they must be studied carefully in order to understand the potential impact of a slide and establish the need for monitoring.
In addition to traditional measurements, work is being done with new, satellite-based technology. Current technology is able to identify whether there is movement in the rock zones. Further research is being done into monitoring rock zones.
For further details, please contact project manager Roald Elvenes, telephone +47 777 19 244.
The unstable rock mass at Nordnes is about 22 million cubic metres. Measurements have shown that the movements amount to approximately four to five centimetres annually. Cracks have been found that clearly indicate that there has been movement during the past few years.
Background
Central government authorities have stressed the need for improving capabilities for handling rock and land slides . Troms is one of three counties in which areas at risk have been identified. In 2005 the county governor therefore set up a meeting with the affected municipalities and NGU, the Geological Survey of Norway.
The meeting resulted in the project Fjellskred in Troms county. "Fjellskred" is a Norwegian word which translates as land and rock slides. The project is a collaboration between the municipalities of Lyngen, Storfjord, Gáivuona/Kåfjord, Tromsø and Kvæfjord. Lyngen has directorship of the programme. NGU is in charge of the project’s scientific aspects, specifically rock and land slides. Troms county municipality and the Norwegian Agricultural Authority are additional partners. In 2009 the project received NOK 13.75 million for construction of the world’s most advanced ground-based global positioning system. A total of 18 Global Positioning Systems have been installed on Nordnes mountain where they can register tiny movements in the rock bed, down to a few millimetres.
Because of the need for ground drilling, the Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate granted the project NOK 22 million in 2011. The funds are to be spent over a period of two years.
A new company named Nordnorsk Fjellovervåking IKS (Northern Norwegian Mountain Monitoring) was formed in 2011. The company’s partners are the municipalities of Kåfjord, Lyngen, Storfjord and Troms county municipality. The company was set up in order to monitor the potentially unstable rock zones at Nordnes in the county of Kåfjord as well as other unstable areas in the region. The company’s objectives include ownership, operation and maintenance of warning systems for land and rock slides in the municipalities that are at risk. The company also assists the municipalities that control its shares in drawing up municipal emergency plans free of charge.
Mapping and monitoring
Unstable rock zones can become a significant threat to the population, both through the actual rock slides and consequent flood waves in the fjords. If the area is mapped thoroughly, a monitoring and warning system can be put in place in case the mountain begins to shift and rock slides occur. First of all, the rock zones at risk must be identified. Next, they must be studied carefully in order to understand the potential impact of a slide and establish the need for monitoring.
In addition to traditional measurements, work is being done with new, satellite-based technology. Current technology is able to identify whether there is movement in the rock zones. Further research is being done into monitoring rock zones.
For further details, please contact project manager Roald Elvenes, telephone +47 777 19 244.