Skutshorn in Valdres

Cautus Geo has instrumented Skutshorn in Valdres for 24-hour monitoring. A tidal wave can sweep away churches, schools, retirement homes and residential buildings.

Problem statement

An unstable mountain section moves by three centimetres a year. In 2023, it was added to NVE's list for continuous monitoring as the tenth mountain range in Norway. A landslide can cause a tidal wave of up to 37 metres in Lake Vangsmjøse.

Solution

The mountain section has been under observation with some instrumentation since 2018. The movements in the mountain section have been documented over time. Cautus Geo established a total station and GNSS stations (satellite) to monitor the movements in the unstable mountain section in the new year of 2024.

It is measured continuously. Data is continuously sent to Cautus Web. This safeguards life and health. The population can be warned well in advance of any landslide from the mountain section.

The instrumentation for continuous monitoring was put in place in the autumn of 2023, but the rock section with an unstable field of ten million cubic metres was already instrumented and monitored in 2018. There are several systems in operation. The aim is to ensure early warning if movements in the rock section increase.

Skutshorn is a large and unstable mountain 600 metres above Lake Vangsmjøse.

A report from NGI has identified three specific areas that could be particularly affected by a tsunami. Most at risk is Øye at the western end of Vangsmjøse. There, large parts of the village will be affected. This also includes churches, including the Øye stave church.