Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture Money Videos
Aletsch Glacier
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Related Topics
Images & Videos
Aletsch Glacier
What are glaciers? Ask a glaciologist
Fly over the Alps to behold the Wipp Valley at the Europabrücke and the Aletsch Glacier
Related Questions
Read Next
Glacier off coast of Argentina, South America. (glacial; snow; ice; blue ice; melting glacier)
What’s the Difference Between a Glacier and an Ice Floe?
Flag of Switzerland
7 Notable Paintings in Switzerland
Discover
United States Electoral College votes by state
How Many Electoral College Votes Does Each U.S. State Have?
Washington, D.C. locator map.
What State Is Washington, D.C. In?
United States Presidential Election of 2012. Mitt Romney. Official portrait of President Barack Obama in the Oval Office, Dec. 6, 2012 after his reelection Nov. 6, 2012. Official portrait Obama
10 Democrats Who Made History
An ancient egyptian hieroglyphic painted carving showing the falcon headed god Horus seated on a throne and holding a golden fly whisk. Before him are the Pharoah Seti and the goddess Isis. Interior wall of the temple to Osiris at Abydos, Egypt.
11 Egyptian Gods and Goddesses
David Cameron. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom talk during the G8 Summit at the Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland, June 17, 2013
What’s the Difference Between a President and a Prime Minister?
Group of children and their parents playing trick or treat on Halloween.
Why Do We Celebrate Halloween?
United States electoral college map showing number of electoral votes by state.
How Does the Electoral College Work?
Aletsch Glacier
Aletsch Glacier Aletsch Glacier, south-central Switzerland.

Aletsch Glacier

glacier, Switzerland
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Print
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://www.britannica.com/place/Aletsch-Glacier
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History

Aletsch Glacier, the Alps’ largest and longest glacier, lying in the Bernese Alps of south-central Switzerland. Covering an area of 66 square miles (171 square km), it is divided into the Great Aletsch (main) and the Middle and Upper Aletsch (branches). The main glacier is 15 miles (24 km) long and 1 mile (1.6 km) wide. It extends generally southward from the Concordia Platz (where several other glaciers meet) to the Aletsch Forest (a nature reserve).

What are glaciers? Ask a glaciologist
What are glaciers? Ask a glaciologistGlaciologist Bethan Davies explains the science behind glaciers and how glaciers are a window into Earth's changing climate. Plus: Are there glaciers on other planets?
See all videos for this article

Descending from the Aletschhorn (peak; 13,763 feet [4,195 m]), the Middle Aletsch reaches the main glacier nearly opposite Märjelen Lake, a small lake bordering the Great Aletsch and lying just north of the Eggishorn. The Massa River, a tributary of the Rhône River, issues from the Great Aletsch. Skiing, mountain climbing, and glacial excursions are popular in the region.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Meg Matthias.