Ups and downs in the French Alps - a tectonic geo-hike in Champsaur

Part of The Shear Zone Channel. Join Rob on a hike in the Ecrins National Park, investigating the geology and tectonic evolution revealed in this stunning landscape. There are some great rock-sequences, including sandstones deposited under deep water just 35 million years ago that are now folded and uplifted to be over two kilometres high in the Alps. But these mountains didn't just go up once.....
#tectonics #geology #alps #ecrins #tectonique #geologie

[@Paretozen]

After months of reading and watching about geology, coming from a complete blank background, this video finally made it all click to me. What a fascinating science. What a fascinating world. Thanks for sharing and educating.

[@neallandsberg2678]

Hopefully you read some of your comments! I am a retired geologist and my trips abroad have been limited in recent years. I deeply appreciate the preparation and execution of your videos. They are at once beautiful and informative. I am able to increase my understanding of structural geology which I have always loved since working in the Caledonides.

[@robbutler2095]

Thanks for the comment and your reflections - glad you enjoy these short films....

[@ervinslens]

What a beautiful mountain range, this looks spectacular my friend!

[@robbutler2095]

Certainly - the Alps have lots of wonderful places!

[@gentlegeorges6849]

Thank you for another well-made video. Especially fun to see this a few days before the Tour de France. I really appreciate your pace and, your balancing of science with your artistry in bringing the atmosphere through your site visits. Thrilling!

[@robbutler2095]

Thanks! - Yes the Tour passes close by - taking in the Col du Noyer - seen in the first shot in the film...

[@thegoonshow]

Great video as always. When the mountain building started I was wondering how much erosion had to take place before the rocks became visible?

[@robbutler2095]

Good question... Before Alpine mountain building there could have been as much as 6-8 km of sedimentary rocks deposited across the basement that was to become the Ecrins... almost all of which was stripped off before the deposition of the Tertiary rocks seen in the film..... And then the Tertiary rocks were buried sufficiently to have experienced rather low grade metamorphism (perhaps 5 km) then all uplifted as the basement of the Ecrins thickened up further... More on both of these aspects in future films!

[@juanfelipecorrea2816]

Magnificent! Thank you Professor Robert.

[@robbutler2095]

Thanks - it's a great place to visit!

[@KhurshidsChannel]

Beautiful video. The views are awesome. Thanks for sharing. subd & 👍44

[@AvanaVana]

Great video, as usual!

[@robbutler2095]

Thanks - glad you enjoyed it!

[@parksto]

Thank you!

[@30_muhammadbaihaqyabdurrah73]

keren banget bang

[@robbutler2095]

thanks - it is indeed a cool place.