SwissGlaciers.org / GletscherVergleiche.ch
By: Simon Oberli, Photographer
   
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Tiefen glacier: Formation of the future glacial lakes

According to a scientific study/publication by Tim Steffen, Prof. Daniel Farinotti, et al, two glacial lakes will form before the melting Tiefen glacier. We will follow the formation of one of these glacial lakes in the coming years and publish our observations on this page.

Situation plan Tiefen glacier

Source map: Federal Office of Topography swisstopo. Distance from grid to grid: 1km.
Source map: Federal Office of Topography swisstopo. Distance from grid to grid: 1km.
Legend:
- Red lines: Outline of future glacial lakes. Source: Above-mentioned study.
- Red dot 5 = Our location 5.
- Red dot 6 = Our location 6.
- Red dot 7 = Our location 7.
- Yellow line = angle of view of the panoramic photo below and the repeat photos.
- Line in magenta = start/end of view angles
Points 5, 6, and 7 were surveyed using a handheld GPS unit.
The screenshot of map.admin.ch was created on 7.4.2023.
The map shows the status as of approx. 2016.

Situation of future glacial lake on 15.7.2022

Key data of the lake according to the study:
- Aera: 7700m2
- Greatest depth: 5.2m
- Medium depth: 2.2m
- Sea level: 2498m above sea level
The panoramic photo below was taken from location 6. The panoramic photo shows a viewing angle of 295°. See also the situation plan above.
Situation glacial lake on 15.7.2022.
Situation glacial lake on 15.7.2022.
Situation
A shallow lake has already formed in front of the Tiefengletscher in recent years. This has grown in size year after year. See, e.g., view repeat photos from location 7.
Source map: Federal Office of Topography swisstopo. The orthophoto shows the situation in summer/autumn 2021.
Source map: Federal Office of Topography swisstopo. The orthophoto shows the situation in summer/autumn 2021.
Legend see above.
Our assessment
The lake projected in the study has already largely formed by 15.7.2022.
Outlook
We expect to capture the situation again in the 2023 season and then update this page.
Published: 12.4.2023
See also: