Measurements show movements in Katastrophenbucht

According to the authorities, the changes measured at the checkpoints in the Zug Seebucht are non-critical and within the expected range.

There’s a good reason why the Seebucht (bay area) in Zug is known popularly as the  ‘Katastrophenbucht’ (Disaster Bay). The name derives from the suburban disaster that created the bay when, on July 5, 1887, the shores of the lake collapsed and 35 residential buildings sank into the lake. Eleven people were killed and 650 were made homeless.

In order to detect critical movements or subsidence at an early stage, the area of the Vorstadt and Alpen quays have been periodically monitored for movements with geodetic measurements since the 1970s, according to a statement from the city. For this purpose, measuring points have been set up in this area, and are checked for location and height every five years.

Photo 1: 35 residential buildings plunged into the lake on July 5, 1887
Photo 2: The measurements take place every five years.
Image: PD

Measurements help with prevention and safety
The results are compared with the values of the past measurements, and the point movements are shown graphically with displacement vectors and numerically in a value table. The movements of the current analysis are in the millimetre range "and thereby within the expected range," the statement continues.

"The measurements serve prevention and safety. If critical reductions were to occur, we could react immediately, and the measurement cadence would be increased," says project manager Willy Meyer from the Office for Land Registry and Geoinformation.