On 12 August 2025, we made the following observations at the Tiefen Glacier:
Glacier
The melting at the Tiefen Glacier continues unabated.
Galenstock and Tiefen Glacier on 12 August 2025.
Dead ice mass and Tiefen Glacier on 12 August 2025.
Legend:
1) Remains of the dead ice mass.
2) What remains of the Tiefen Glacier.
Tiefen glacier on 12 August 2025.
Legend:
1) Glacier snout.
2) Collapse structure above the glacier snout. The first signs were visible in 2022.
3) Western part of the Tiefen Glacier (towards Dammastock).
4) Eastern part of the Tiefen Glacier (towards Tiefenstock).
Aerial view of the collapse structure in the Tiefen Glacier on 12 August 2025.
Aerial view of the confluence of the upper and lower parts of the Tiefen Glacier on 12 August 2025.
Legende:
1) Western part of the Tiefen Glacier (towards Dammastock).
2) Eastern part of the Tiefen Glacier (towards Tiefenstock).
3) Collapse structure above the glacier snout.
4) Short glacier terminus.
Dead ice and floodplain
Tiefen Glacier: Aerial view of the dead ice mass on 12 August 2025.
Legend:
1) The stream flowing down from the Tiefen Glacier. The stream no longer flows through the dead ice.
2) Floodplain below the steep slope leading to Tiefen Glacier.
3) Remains of the once large dead ice mass.
4) Dead ice partially covering the small valley towards the Kamel climbing peak.
5) Proglacidal lake, which has grown larger and larger in recent years.
Tiefen Glacier: Remnants of dead ice. Aerial photograph taken on 12 August 2025.
The remaining part of the dead ice already has two large portals again. The decay of the dead ice will continue.
Legend:
1) The stream flowing down from the Tiefen Glacier.
2) Floodplain below the steep slope leading to Tiefen Glacier.
3) Remains of the once large dead ice mass.
4) Dead ice partially covering the small valley towards the Kamel climbing peak.
Tiefen glacier: Aerial view of the floodplain on 12 August 2025.
Legende:
1) The stream flowing down from the Tiefen glacier.
2) Floodplain below the steep slope leading to Tiefen Glacier.
3) Ice cone covered with sand and fine debris, known as a Dirt cone. The debris insulates and slows down the melting of the ice.
Tiefen Glacier: Small Dirt cone in front of the floodplain and dead ice. Photo taken on 12 August 2025.
Tiefen Glacier: Dead ice and waterfall. Photo taken on 12 August 2025.
In the foreground, you can see a lot of sand left behind by the melting ice.
Tiefen Glacier: Glacial stream at the foot of the steep slope. Photo taken on 12 August 2025.
The embankment on the right shows that erosion is in full swing. The washed-away material is deposited in the lake.
Tiefen Glacier: View from below of the glacier stream and the steep step. Photo taken on 12 August 2025.
The actual Tiefen Glacier has receded to above this steep step.
Dirt cone
Tiefen Glacier: Large Dirt cone. Photo taken on 12 August 2025.
Proglacial lake
Tiefen Glacier: alluvial plain, dead ice and proglacial lake of approx. WNW. Aerial photograph taken on 12 August 2025.
When we first photographed the Tiefen Glacier on 19 July 2010, there was no sign of the lake that now lies in front of it. In other words, the Tiefen Glacier still reached the end of what is now the lake (top edge of the photo) and the ice at the steep step was wide, thick and unbroken.
Meteo
Temperature
- On the mountain pass road at 6:15 a.m.: 14°
- At approx. 2540 m at 2 p.m.: 23° (source: measurement with small thermometer)
Zero degree line on 12 August 2025: 4600 metres above sea level (forecast by MeteoSwiss)
Over the previous seven days, the zero degree line was between 4,100 and 5,000 metres, averaging around 4,600 metres above sea level.
Published:
28.08.2028