Glaciar de Aneto Earthcache EarthCache
Glaciar de Aneto Earthcache
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This earthcache is located in the summit of Aneto (3.404 meters), the highest peak of the Pyrenees range. This range divides Spain and France. To reach it you have to be in good phisical condition, best time to go is late Summer. The coordinates belong to the Aneto summit.
This earthcache is located in the summit of Aneto (3.404 meters high), the highest peak of the Pyrenees range. This range divides Spain and France. The Aneto Glacier is the biggest glacier in the Pyrennees and one of the southernmost of Europe, if not the southernmost. Endangered by the global warming process, it is gradually thawing, getting smaller year by year. By this reason it can be deemed as a dying relic. Thus, it is protected with strict environmental regulations, though access is free. This glacier is an unique place in Spain to understand the glacier mechanisms and their role in the landscapes formation. The surrounding natural and cultural landscapes also worth a visit, with romanic churches and National parks as outstanding features. Currently, its size is X square kilometers, and has decreased its surface to a half in a few decades. Reached its maximum surface during the Würm period, Y years ago. The experts forecast not more than 40 years life to it at the current temperature rise pace. The pace increases as years pass and more time passes since the Little Ice Age. The Little Ice Age influenced a lot the lifes of people, and also the environment and landscapes, during Z Century. More info on the thawing process: http://www.iberianature.com/material/glaciers.htm In both valley sides there are of rocks showing the glacier erosion effect. A great feature of this glacier, that demonstrate that landscapes are not static but evolving, the water collected at the bottom of the glacier, sinks into a some hundred meters hole called Forau dels Aigualluts (1.900 meters), filters and appears again in a wonderful cascade called Uelhs deth Joeu (Jew's Eyes), some kilometers eastwards and 600 meters below. Surprisingly, the water fallen to the Aneto, that it's entirely within Spain territory, and later deiced feeds the Garonne river and end up in the Atlantic ocean rather than in the Mediterranean sea. In order to log this earthcache you must investigate and send me an email with answer to X, Y and Z, and publish in your Found log a picture of your visit to the glacier. Please do it before logging, otherwise it might be deleted.
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