27 October 2011

Spectacular rockfall video on the Franz Josef glacier – a lucky escape for a tour party

Posted by Dave Petley

Summary: A spectacular new video has appeared of a rockfall onto the Franz Josef glacier in New Zealand.

Footage has appeared on Youtube of a rockfall on 13th October 2011 from one of the cliffs abutting the Franz Josef Glacier in New Zealand:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vq8Hwsjf2XM

The Greymouth Star has an article that provides some background to the event here.  A couple of things to note.  First, once again the collapse was preceded by significant precursory rockfall activity.  Second, of course, the tour party were mighty lucky.  One of the guides appears to hold up a large rock that landed close to them.

Thanks for Jill Davies for drawing my attention to this video.