On 29. August 2024 we made the following observations on the Tiefengletscher:
Despite the snowy winter of 2023/24, melting continues on the Tiefengletscher. The dead ice mass has melted to such an extent that the glacial stream now flows 100% above ground from the glacier gate via the escarpment and alluvial plain into the proglacial lake.
Galenstock and Tiefengletscher on 29. August 2024.
Dead ice mass and Tiefengletscher on 29. August 2024.
Legend:
1) Remains of the dead ice mass.
2) What is left of the Tiefengletscher.
Tiefengletscher on 29. August 2024.
Legend:
1) Glacier gate filled with snow.
2) Collapse structure above the glacier gate. The first indications were visible in 2022.
3) Western part of the Tiefengletscher (towards Dammastock).
4) Eastern part of the Tiefengletscher (towards Tiefenstock).
Aerial view of the Tiefengletscher on 29. August 2024.
Legend: See above.
Tiefengletscher: Aerial view of the dead ice mass on 29. August 2024.
Legend:
1) The stream flowing down from the Tiefengletscher. The stream no longer flows through the dead ice.
2) Alluvial plain below the steep step to the Tiefengletscher.
3) Remains of the once large dead ice mass.
4) Dead ice, which partially covers the small valley in the direction of the Kamel climbing peak.
5) Proglacial lake, which has become larger and larger in recent years.
Tiefengletscher: Aerial view of the alluvial plain on 29. August 2024.
Legend:
1) The stream flowing down from the Tiefengletscher. The stream no longer flows through the dead ice.
2) Alluvial plain below the steep step to the Tiefengletscher.
3) Remains of the once large dead ice mass.
4) Ice cone covered with sand and fine debris, a so-called sand cone. The debris insulates and slows down the melting of the ice.
Tiefengletscher: Remainder of the dead ice. Aerial view from 29. August 2024.
The remaining part of the dead ice already has two large portals again. The disintegration of the dead ice will continue.
Legend:
1) Der Bach, welcher vom Tiefengletscher herunter fliesst. Der Bach fliesst nicht mehr durch das Toteis.
2) The stream flowing down from the Tiefengletscher. The stream no longer flows through the dead ice.
3) Remains of the once large dead ice mass.
4) Dead ice, which partially covers the small valley in the direction of the Kamel climbing peak.
Tiefengletscher: Alluvial plain and portals in the dead ice. Photo from 29. August 2024.
Tiefengletscher: Remains of ice covered with debris and sand. Photo from 29. August 2024.
Tiefengletscher: Remnant of melted ice at the edge of the proglacial lake. Photo from 29. August 2024.
Tiefengletscher: Large dirt cone. Photo from 29. August 2024.
Galenstock, Tiefengletscher and proglacial lake. Photo from 29. August 2024.
The proglacial lake has not only become larger in recent years, but also deeper. After the melting of the dead ice, ice remained in the submerged area. This ice has gradually melted and led to the greater water depth.
Temperature
- at the pass road at 6:15 am: 9°
- at approx. 2550m at 2 pm: 20° (source: measurement with small thermometer)
Zero degree limit on 29. August 2024: 4200m above sea level (forecast by MeteoSwiss)
The previous seven days, the zero degree line was in a range of 3900 and 4400m, on average at approx. 4180m above sea level.