Gletschertöpfe / Glacier potholes

Glacier potholes are round cavitys in rock and are formed during the last glacial period, which came to end about 10.000 years ago. At this time the Berchtesgaden area was covered by a several hundred meters thick layer of ice - a glacier.

Meltwater fell to the ground through crevasses and hollowed the rock gradually. Carried sand, gravel particles and sometimes boulders too enhanced the effect. In the course of time the cavity increased and vortexes with a flow velocity up to 200 km/h and high pressure arised. The carried rock worked highly erosive and hollowed the rock deeper and deeper.

Often are still boulders in the glacial potholes to see which illustrate the erosion. Glacier potholes are mostly to find where glaciers are or have been.

On the spot you will find two clacier potholes side by side and an (German only) information board. Moving downstairs behind you there is a third glacier pothole at N47 37.995 E012 59.965.

Please answer the following questions to log the earthcache:
1) How is the surface of the potholes? Is it rather even or rather highly rugged?
2) Is the pothole round or oval shaped?
3) There is a boulder in the lower pothole. What is your opinion? Did it fell later into the pothole or did it help forming the pothole and why?
4) Guess the diameter of the lower glacial pothole from left to right.

Please send us the answers via the mail form. If your answers are correct, we will give you the log permission soon.

We would be very glad if you include a photo (of course voluntary and optional) from you or your GPS at the location.