Source map: Federal Office of Topography swisstopo. Distance from grid to grid: 1km. Section and orthophoto see below.
Legend:
- Red lines: Outline of future glacial lakes. Source: Above-mentioned study.
- Red dot 1 = Our
location 1.
- Red dot 6 = Our
location 6.
- Red dot 7 = Our
location 7.
- Red dot 10 = Our
location 10.
- Yellow line = Viewing angle of the panoramic photo below and the repeat photos.
- Line in magenta = start/end of view angles
Points 1, 6, 7, and 10 were surveyed using a handheld GPS unit.
The screenshot of map.admin.ch was created on 20.3.2023.
The map shows the status as of approx. 2017.
Key data of lake A according to the study:
- Aera: 9100m2
- Largest depth: 6.1m
- Medium depth: 2.3m
- Lake level: 2513m ü.M.
Key data of lake B according to the study:
- Aera: 7400m2
- Largest depth: 8.5m
- Medium depth: 3.9m
- Lake level: 2513m ü.M.
The panoramic photo below was taken from
location 7. The panoramic photo shows a 360° viewing angle. See also the situation plan above.
Situation glacial lake on 13.7.2022.
Section of the above site plan, below the corresponding orthophoto.
Source map: Federal Office of Topography swisstopo. Legend see above.
Source map: Federal Office of Topography swisstopo. The orthophoto shows the situation in summer 2022.
This in contrast to the WNW, SW and S areas of it:
-
West-Northwest
Around 2010, a lake has formed, which is increasing in size year by year.
-
Southwest
The glacier has continuously lost thickness since 2010. In 2010, the ice was still resting on the elevated area in front of the glacier. See repeat photos from location 7.
-
South
A larger lake has formed between 2019 and 2022. See repeat photos of location 5.
The orthophoto shows that at X the two new lakes are now separated only by a narrow strip of ice and boulders. As can be seen, for example, in the repeat photos of
location 5, this ridge has always lost thickness in recent years.
Our assessment
Once the ridge and glacier at X (orthophoto) have melted enough, the level of the higher lake will equal the level of the lower lake. Presumably, the level of the northern lake is slightly lower than that of the southern lake. The two lakes will continue to expand toward the SW as the glacier melts.
We consider it unlikely that the two lakes described in the study (= red outlines on the site plan and orthophoto) will form.
Outlook
We expect to capture the situation again in the 2025 season and then update this page.