From Loen the road continues east into Lodalen along Lake Lovatnet. This is one of the most beautiful valleys in Norway. The water is emerald green from glacial meltwater, the mountains rise steeply on both sides. But this lake has a devastating history.
On the 15th of January 1905, 350,000 cubic metres of rock broke off from the mountain Ramnefjellet and crashed into the lake. The tsunami reached 40.5 metres. 61 people were killed, half the population of Bødal and Nesdal. The tourist boat DS Lodalen was thrown 350 metres inland. The rusty remains still lie hidden between the trees along the road. A white cross marks the place.
The communities rebuilt. Then on the 13th of September 1936, it happened again. The same mountain. One million cubic metres. The tsunami reached 74 metres. 74 people killed. The memorial from 1905 was ripped away by the wave.
After the second disaster, Bødal and Nesdal were never rebuilt. 135 people died in total. It is Norway's biggest modern natural disaster. The scars are clearly visible on Ramnefjellet. When you drive along the lake, look up. You can see exactly where the rock broke off. Twice.
These disasters inspired the Norwegian film Bølgen, The Wave, from 2015. It is set at the Geirangerfjord and was Norway's submission for the Academy Awards.
On the 15th of January 1905, 350,000 cubic metres of rock broke off from the mountain Ramnefjellet and crashed into the lake. The tsunami reached 40.5 metres. 61 people were killed, half the population of Bødal and Nesdal. The tourist boat DS Lodalen was thrown 350 metres inland. The rusty remains still lie hidden between the trees along the road. A white cross marks the place.
The communities rebuilt. Then on the 13th of September 1936, it happened again. The same mountain. One million cubic metres. The tsunami reached 74 metres. 74 people killed. The memorial from 1905 was ripped away by the wave.
After the second disaster, Bødal and Nesdal were never rebuilt. 135 people died in total. It is Norway's biggest modern natural disaster. The scars are clearly visible on Ramnefjellet. When you drive along the lake, look up. You can see exactly where the rock broke off. Twice.
These disasters inspired the Norwegian film Bølgen, The Wave, from 2015. It is set at the Geirangerfjord and was Norway's submission for the Academy Awards.