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Geomorphology and Landscapes of the Swiss National Park

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Landscapes and Landforms of Switzerland

Abstract

The landscape of the Swiss National Park (SNP) is an area of unique beauty within the morphological systems of the Swiss Alps. This is due to bedrock lithology and its deformation history: the Austroalpine facies and structures are restricted to the southeasternmost corner of the country. The morphologically dominant and most visible rock type in the landscape is the Triassic “Hauptdolomit.” It forms high cliffs, which supply extensive scree slopes . The Park is split into two areas: the larger heartland of the Engadine Dolomites and the glacially sculptured pass areas in the south and the much smaller mountain area of Macun to the north of the Engadine Line in the crystalline Austroalpine basement rocks. The high mountain areas of the Park display various types of periglacial features, including the famous and long-researched rock glaciers .

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Acknowledgments

We formally and cordially thank the Park staff for supporting and understanding the wishes and needs of scientists and the students from University of Bern and ETH Zurich who contributed to stimulating research in the SNP over many years. Marcia Phillips (SLF Davos) and Mélanie Clivaz (University of Lausanne) are acknowledged for useful comments on the manuscript and cartography of Figs. 17.1 and 17.2, respectively.

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Correspondence to Christian Schlüchter .

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Schlüchter, C., Lozza, H., Haller, R. (2021). Geomorphology and Landscapes of the Swiss National Park. In: Reynard, E. (eds) Landscapes and Landforms of Switzerland. World Geomorphological Landscapes. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43203-4_17

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