Bergschrund
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A Bergschrund is a split or crevasse in the ice of a glacier, where the glacier detaches itself from the mountain's rock. It is often a serious obstacle to a mountaineer wishing to gain access to the mountain.
A bergschrund is formed when the glacier moves downslope while its borders are firmly frozen to the rock, comparable to the forming of geological faults.
In a corrie or cirque, the bergschrund is positioned at the rear, parallel to the back wall of the corrie. It is caused by the rotational movement of the glacier. In a longitudinal glacier, the bergschrund is at the top end of the glacier at a right angle to the flow of the glacier. It is caused by the downwards flow of the glacier.
Bergschrunds extend to the bedrock and can have a depth of well over 100 metres.
In winter, Bergschrunds are often filled by snow from avalanches from the mountain above it. In later summer, due to melting, it lies open and can present a very difficult obstacle to alpinists.
The bergschrund is distinct from the randkluft (also called rimaye) which is the crevasse of which one face is the rock, back wall of the corrie. The randkluft arises in part from the melting of the ice arising from the presence of the warmer rock face. (Benn & Evans). However, the randkluft is sometimes called a bergschrund. (OED)
References
- Benn, D.I. & Evans, D.J.A. Glaciers and Glaciation (1998) ISBN 0-340-58431-9
- Burchfield, R.W. ed. Oxford English Dictionary supplement (1987) ISBN 0-19-861211-7
External links
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