Glacier tongue 2008

General view of Bernina group and Vadret da Morteratsch from Laghalb in September 2008. (MH)

Medium telephoto of Vadret da Morteratsch, illustrating a massive icefall, the main glacier tongue and its debris-covered tributaries (including Vadret Pers on the left), viewed from Laghalb in September 2008. (MH)

Strong telephoto of the confluence zone of Vadret Pers (left) and Vadret da Morteratsch (right) in September 2008, with prominent medial moraine between them. (MH)

Strongly foliated glacier ice in mid - Vadret da Morteratsch, with Piz Bernina and its classic snow ridge of Biancograt in the background. (MH)

A small temporary meteorological station set up on Vadret da Morteratsch by Aberystwyth MSc Glaciology student, Andrew Fitzpatrick, to investigate the response of supraglacial streams to weather conditions. (MH)

Hot-water drilling system demonstrated by Aberystwyth PhD student, Richard Farnell, on Vadret da Morteratsch to allow insertion of stakes for recording velocity and ablation. (MH)

The drilling system with the drill-head emitting a powerful jet of steam that allows rapid melting of a hole in the glacier surface to several metres. (MH)

Drilling on a glacier for any length of time can be a cold job. Here we see the burner on the left, a stake being inserted and various wires connected to the meteorological experiment. In the background is the disappearing icefall of Vadret Pers. (MH)

Telephoto of the central drainage system at the snout of Vadret da Morteratsch. Water disappeared down a moulin and in this 2008 image, and provided temporary access to an under-ice cave system. The ring of dirty ice around the snout represents ‘basal ice’ comprising debris frozen on the base. (MH)

Being in close proximity to snout of Vadret da Morteratsch reveals an extensive spread of rubble with little vegetation and channels containing sediment-laden meltwater; September 2008. (MH)

The glacier portal (about 4 m high) at Vadret da Morteratsch in September 2008. (MH)