Why in News? 

• The Birch Glacier in Switzerland has catastrophically collapsed, triggering a massive landslide that has partially buried Blatten village and affected the Lonza River. 

About Birch Glacier  

Location: Birch Glacier is situated in the Lötschental Valley of northern Switzerland. 

• Cause of Collapse 
  Scientists attribute the incident to climate change, particularly the rise in global temperatures which has led to: 
  • Rapid glacier retreat 
  • Melting of alpine permafrost, weakening mountain stability 
• Environmental Impact: The collapse has affected nearby ecosystems, notably disturbing the Lonza River. 
• Wider Glacier Crisis in Europe: Switzerland, which holds the largest number of glaciers in Europe, has experienced a glacial volume loss of nearly 40% since the year 2000 due to climate-related changes.