The Structural Landscapes of Central Switzerland

Abstract

Both, landforms and landscape of Central Switzerland mimic the structure of the underlying bedrock rather closely. As an example, Stanserhorn, Buochserhorn, and Mythen can be mentioned where Jurassic carbonates of the Klippen nappe form steep peaks above the slopes underlain by the marly sequence of the Subpenninic mélange. At the contact between the Helvetic nappes and the Subalpine Molasse, the massive Cretaceous carbonates of the Drusberg nappe form a long through going cliff, which marks this tectonic contact. The steep SE face of Rigi corresponds to the SE boundary of the Rigi alluvial fan. A major tear fault east of the Pilatus massif explains the juxtaposition of this mountain range to the basin of Lake Lucerne, and a tear fault running along the Uri branch of Lake Lucerne is held responsible for the position and orientation of this valley.