To understand the significance of why the Bernese Alps have
a unique shape, one must understand the history behind the Alps formation. The
Swiss Alps were formed when the African plate moved towards the plates located
in Europe and Asia also known as the Eurasian Plates. This collision caused the
mountains to form, which dates back to 100 million years ago. As large as the
Alps might seem geologists still refer to the Swiss Alps as “young mountains”,
in comparison with the developments of other mountains around the world.
This tectonic tension is still active, and it’s causing the
Alps mountain range to increase in size and matter. Geologists say that the
Alps are developing in height at a rate of 1mm per year. This is mainly due to
the convergent movements of the Eurasian and African plates.
The Bernese Alps have one of the most distinct shapes amongst the Alps mountain line up. Its highest peak named Finsteraarhorn has a measured height of 14026 ft. This makes it 1000 ft shy from the highest peak in the Swiss Alps range. Rivers surround parts of these Alps from the south and north. Towards the north we find lake Thunersee, which stretches towards the capital Bern. On the on the other side lies Rhone River which flows towards France.
The Bernese Alps have one of the most distinct shapes amongst the Alps mountain line up. Its highest peak named Finsteraarhorn has a measured height of 14026 ft. This makes it 1000 ft shy from the highest peak in the Swiss Alps range. Rivers surround parts of these Alps from the south and north. Towards the north we find lake Thunersee, which stretches towards the capital Bern. On the on the other side lies Rhone River which flows towards France.
The majority of these Alps are made up of three main rock
types which are; limestone, marble and granite.
The structure and physical geography of the Bernese Alps shows no harm to people due to the fact that it’s far away from populated areas. Although, with its rough structures and rock formation tourists and skiers must be advised. The rocks present in the Bernese Alps could be profitable and useful for people interested in the rock industry.
Reference:
http://www.myswissalps.com/aboutswitzerland/nature/geography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_the_Alps
http://exploringthearth.com/2013/03/02/switzerland
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/62500/Bernese-Alps
http://www.earthonlinemedia.com/ebooks/tpe_3e/tectonics_landforms/tectonics_modern_theory.html
The structure and physical geography of the Bernese Alps shows no harm to people due to the fact that it’s far away from populated areas. Although, with its rough structures and rock formation tourists and skiers must be advised. The rocks present in the Bernese Alps could be profitable and useful for people interested in the rock industry.
Reference:
http://www.myswissalps.com/aboutswitzerland/nature/geography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_the_Alps
http://exploringthearth.com/2013/03/02/switzerland
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/62500/Bernese-Alps
http://www.earthonlinemedia.com/ebooks/tpe_3e/tectonics_landforms/tectonics_modern_theory.html
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