GeoLog | Alps

Imaggeo on Mondays: Refuge in a cloudscape

Olivia Trani April 23, 2018

Refuge in a cloudscape. Credit: Julien Seguinot (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu )

The action of glaciers combined with the structure of the rock to form this little platform, probably once a small lake enclosed between a moraine at the mountain side and the ice in the valley. Now it has become a green haven in the mountain landscape, a perfect place for an alp. In the Alps, stratus clouds opening up on autumn mornings often create gorgeous light display. That day, some of the f ...[Read More]

Imaggeo on Mondays: Autumnal Larch

Laura Roberts-Artal December 4, 2017

Leaf colouration of larch trees . Credit: Yann Vitasse (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu).

For a fantastically picturesque train ride, consider travelling by rail between Lanquart and Davos (in Switzerland). You’ll be rewarded with stunning Alpine views, especially in autumn when the Larches, surrounded by Spruces, turn yellow and cast pretty reflections in the waters of the mountain lakes. Seen here is Schwartzsee, located only a few meters from ‘Davos Laret’ train station. Imaggeo is ...[Read More]

Imaggeo on Mondays: Tongue of a small giant

Antonello Provenzale July 10, 2017

Tongue of a small giant . Credit: Antonello Provenzale (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu).

In a world where climate change causes many mountain glaciers to shrink away, bucking the ‘melting’ trend is not easy. In today’s post, Antonello Provenzale, a researcher in Italy, tells us of one glacier in the Alps which is doing just that. Mountain glaciers are retreating worldwide, with the possible exception of the Karakoram area. For most glaciers, ablation (ice melt) durin ...[Read More]

Imaggeo on Mondays: Airplane views of the Alps

Laura Roberts-Artal June 19, 2017

Alpine massifs above low level haze . Credit: Hans Volkert (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu).

The forward scattering of sunlight, which is caused by a large number of aerosol particles (moist haze) in Alpine valleys, gives the mountain massifs a rather plastic appearance. The hazy area in the foreground lies above the Koenigsee lake; behind it the Watzmann, Hochkalter, Loferer Steinberge and Wilder Kaiser massifs loom up behind one other to the right of the centre line. Behind them is the ...[Read More]