内容摘要：— the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. KFF Health News is the publisher of

— the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. KFF Health News is the publisher of

How glaciers collapse — from the Alps and Andes to the Himalayas and Antarctica — can differ, scientists say. But in almost every instance, climate change is playing a role.In Switzerland, the mountainside gave way Wednesday near

, in the southern Lötschental valley, because the rock face above the Birch Glacier had become unstable when mountain permafrost melted, causing debris to fall and cover the glacier in recent years, said Martin Truffer, a physics professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks who studies how glaciers move.While the debris insulated the glacier and slowed melting, its weight caused the ice to begin moving — which accelerated dramatically a few weeks ago. Authorities ordered the evacuation of, as well as all livestock, from the village in recent days, “when it became clear that there’s a whole mountainside that’s about to collapse,” said Truffer, who is from Switzerland.

An aerial view shows the destruction of Blatten, Switzerland, Thursday, May 29, 2025, one day after a massive debris avalanche, triggered by the collapse of the Birch Glacier, swept down to the valley floor and demolished large parts of the village. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)An aerial view shows the destruction of Blatten, Switzerland, Thursday, May 29, 2025, one day after a massive debris avalanche, triggered by the collapse of the Birch Glacier, swept down to the valley floor and demolished large parts of the village. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)

Lakes that form at the base of glaciers as they melt and retreat also sometimes burst, often with catastrophic results. Water can even lift an entire glacier, allowing it to drain, said Truffer, adding that Alaska’s capital of Juneau has flooded in recent years because a lake forms every year on a rapidly retreating glacier and eventually bursts.

In 2022, an apartment building-sized chunk of theA sign, frozen in time after flooding last fall, stands at the entrance to the closed state park in Chimney Rock Village, N.C., on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

A sign, frozen in time after flooding last fall, stands at the entrance to the closed state park in Chimney Rock Village, N.C., on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — At least 31 people were killed and over 150 were wounded on Sunday while on their way to receive food in the

, according to health officials and multiple witnesses. The witnesses said Israeli forces fired on crowds around a kilometer (1,000 yards) from an aid site run by an Israeli-backed foundation.The army in a brief statement said it was “currently unaware of injuries caused by (Israeli military) fire within the humanitarian aid distribution site. The matter is still under review.”