Geomorphological Landscapes in Switzerland

Abstract

Switzerland’s geomorphological diversity is the result of the combination of (i) a complex geological structure, marked by the prevalence of Alpine orogeny, (ii) Quaternary glaciations, during which Alpine glaciers invaded a large part of the Swiss Plateau and (iii) the country’s climatic diversity, driven by its position in the Alps and the confluence of climates from southern, northwestern, and eastern Europe. Four main types of geomorphological landscapes are present: glacial, fluvial, karstic and gravitational.