Home to the Alps, which includes some of the highest peaks in Europe, as well as the Jura Mountains, Switzerland is an ideal mapping location for those students who enjoy hiking and/or are looking for somewhere with a more moderate climate. Most areas are generally well exposed and particularly good for those who are interested in mapping slightly more complex structural elements. The geology of Switzerland tends to be predominantly sedimentary rocks or meta-sediments, including the Tethys Ocean molasse of the Central Plateau, so there is often also opportunity to identify a variety of sedimentary structures in the field.
Anzeinde and Les Diablerets
Outline of Geology: Jurassic and Cretaceous carbonate sequence shallowing upwards to emergence in late cretaceous. Extremely varied unconformity sediments deposited on submergence, emergence again followed by continued deepening. Flysch and turbidite deposition followed by thrusting and fairly extensive deformation, polyphase deformation features caused by back thrusting and back folding.
Topographic description: 1400 - 3000m elevation, extremely steep terrain, with many cliffs. Exposure variable, typically excellent.
Accommodation: Refuge Giacomini. Worked at weekends to keep costs down. £27 per day.
Food: Provided by hotel
Transport: Travelled to area by plane, train, tram, bus and foot and within area on foot.
Weather: Variable most days, mist and fog quick to onset, 1 day of wind, 1 week at start of snow and ice, temperatures about -6 - 28 C.
Total cost: about £400: £250 travel; £80 accommodation and food, Insurance: £70.
Year Mapped: 1993
Topographic description: 1400 - 3000m elevation, extremely steep terrain, with many cliffs. Exposure variable, typically excellent.
Accommodation: Refuge Giacomini. Worked at weekends to keep costs down. £27 per day.
Food: Provided by hotel
Transport: Travelled to area by plane, train, tram, bus and foot and within area on foot.
Weather: Variable most days, mist and fog quick to onset, 1 day of wind, 1 week at start of snow and ice, temperatures about -6 - 28 C.
Total cost: about £400: £250 travel; £80 accommodation and food, Insurance: £70.
Year Mapped: 1993
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