A study reveals that rockfall activity in the Swiss Alps has increased significantly due to climate warming and permafrost degradation. Using tree-ring records from 375 trees damaged by rockfalls at Täschgufer, researchers reconstructed a 100-year record of rockfall activity from 1920 to 2020. The data show a strong correlation between rockfall activity and summer air temperatures, with increased activity observed in the late 1940s, mid-1980s, and more recently. The study highlights that warming temperatures have led to more frequent and larger rockfalls, particularly in areas with degrading permafrost. Rockfall activity has shifted from occurring primarily during dormancy to occurring more frequently during warm seasons, with a notable increase since the mid-1980s. The research also indicates that rockfall activity is influenced by a combination of factors, including climate change, permafrost degradation, and complex interactions between slope stability and climate. The findings suggest that continued warming will likely lead to increased rockfall activity in mountainous regions, posing risks to communities and infrastructure. The study provides a benchmark for understanding rockfall dynamics in high-mountain environments and underscores the importance of long-term monitoring to assess the impacts of climate change on geological processes.A study reveals that rockfall activity in the Swiss Alps has increased significantly due to climate warming and permafrost degradation. Using tree-ring records from 375 trees damaged by rockfalls at Täschgufer, researchers reconstructed a 100-year record of rockfall activity from 1920 to 2020. The data show a strong correlation between rockfall activity and summer air temperatures, with increased activity observed in the late 1940s, mid-1980s, and more recently. The study highlights that warming temperatures have led to more frequent and larger rockfalls, particularly in areas with degrading permafrost. Rockfall activity has shifted from occurring primarily during dormancy to occurring more frequently during warm seasons, with a notable increase since the mid-1980s. The research also indicates that rockfall activity is influenced by a combination of factors, including climate change, permafrost degradation, and complex interactions between slope stability and climate. The findings suggest that continued warming will likely lead to increased rockfall activity in mountainous regions, posing risks to communities and infrastructure. The study provides a benchmark for understanding rockfall dynamics in high-mountain environments and underscores the importance of long-term monitoring to assess the impacts of climate change on geological processes.