The glaciers
Haute Maurienne Vanoise, a land sculpted by the power of glaciers generously furnished by nature to this second-largest glacier massif of the Alps. There are not less than 130 glacier systems in Vanoise.
The life of a glacier
A glacier is born from the accumulation of snow at a high altitude, in places where snow falls all year long between 3000 and 3500 meters. Accumulating up to heights of several dozen meters, the snow becomes compressed under its own weight and hardens by evacuating air, turning into hard, compact ice. From this point on, the glacier begins its long life.
Certain glaciers can attain dozens of kilometers in length, stretching toward the valley under the force of gravity.
Through the force of its presence, the glacier will sculpt and modify the landscape by shaping the rock, breaking and crushing it with titanic force.
In the tracks of a glacier
Through their power and weight, glaciers are capable of shaping the landscape in an impressive manner:
A glacier valley is the evidence of a glacier passage that has given it a profile in the shape of a U. Moraines are piles of rocky debris that the glacier has crushed, then transported; they are generally seen at the foot of a glacier and also on its sides. Erratic rocks are large rocks that were too solid to have been crushed by the glacier but were transported by the glacier, then deposited; they can sometimes be seen in alpine valleys, far from any glacier activity and deposed many years ago by glaciers that no longer exist.
Glaciers in danger
Glaciers are valuable. They constitute formidable reserves of sweet water for the planet and give us information on climate evolution, thanks to air bubbles imprisioned in the ice that retain a memory of the weather.
Our planet has always known periods of extensive glaciation. The last glacial period ended 12,000 years ago. Since then, the Alps have undergone a small Ice Age from the 17th to the 19th centuries. During this time, some glaciers even re-appeared!
Since this last disturbance, glaciologist have observed a shrinking of the glaciers and agree on the idea that warming of the planet is accelerating this phenomenon. In a hundred years, the only survivors would be small glaciers situated in the Alps above 3500 meters.
Planetary warming thus concerns us all. We should change our habits. Certain countries are already committed to reducing their impact on the environment and to developing less-polluting energies. On a personal level, small daily contributions count that can add up to big savings.
Commit yourself to the Earth Challenge!
Learn more
Learn more about the glaciers
In the Explorer's Notebook discover:
• 5 glacier families found in Haute Maurienne Vanoise; you'll be surprised!
• Words for describing and more thoroughly understanding a glacier.
• Ideas on how to approach the glaciers.
