Geology of the Alps

orogenic phase in the Late Mesozoic (Eoalpine) and the current Cenozoic that has formed the mountain ranges of the Alpide belt

landform

small tectonic plate

glacial period in the Alps

alpine glacial period in the Pleistocene epoch

prehistoric island

glacial period

glacial period in the Alps

glacial stage in the Alps

border between the Adriatic and European plates

small tectonic plate now part of the Eurasian plate

The Penninic nappes or the Penninicum, commonly abbreviated as Penninic, are one of three nappe stacks and geological zones in which the Alps can be divided. In the western Alps the Penninic nappes are more obviously present than in the eastern Alps (in Austria), where they crop out as a narrow band. The name Penninic is derived from the Pennine Alps, an area in which rocks from the Penninic nappes are abundant.

southern parts of the Eastern Alps in Central Europe

formation and structure of the European Alps

geological formation in the European Alps

historic ocean

The Aarmassif or Aaremassif (German: Aarmassiv) is the easternmost geologic massif in the Swiss Alps. It contains a number of large mountain chains and parts of mountain chains.

region in the Austrian Central Eastern Alps where rocks of the underlying Penninic nappes ere exposed

geological structures thrust north during Alps orogeny

piece of continental crust in the Penninic nappes of the Alps

Subducted ocean. Remnants found in the Alps in the North Penninic nappes.

rock formation in the Alps