A few days ago, a huge rockfall occurred on the Grosse Tschingelhorn, diagonally above the world-famous Martinsloch. Fortunately, people and infrastructure were not affected.
The Martinsloch at 2600 meters above sea level in the middle of the Tschingelhörner in Flims is probably the most famous rock window in the UNESCO Tectonic Arena Sardona region. The 22 meter high and 19 meter wide triangle has become famous due to a very special event: On March 12 and 13 as well as September 30 and October 1, the sun shines through the Martinsloch directly onto the church in the village of Elm behind it shortly before it rises. The spectacle only lasts a few minutes, after which the sun disappears behind the Tschingelhörner and then rises. This event attracts many visitors who want to watch the spectacular spectacle.
Last October 3, the Martinsloch was on the verge of disappearing. A massive rockfall on the Gross Tschingelhorn threatened not only the surrounding landscape, but also the iconic hole itself. No one seems to have noticed the event immediately, but the mountain suddenly looked different:
before after
The actual extent of the rockfall has not yet been determined. However, it is likely that more than 10,000 cubic meters of rock fell into the valley on both the Glarus and Grisons sides. People and infrastructure were not affected by the rockfall. The Martinsloch itself remained intact, but the proximity of the incident showed how vulnerable such natural wonders are.
The area diagonally above the Martinsloch on the Gross Tschingelhorn is known for its high rockfall activity. Recurrent earthquakes in the region could contribute to the loosening of the rocks.
Two weak zones intersect in the legendary Martinsloch: a soft, flat-lying, dark marl layer and a steep fracture surface. In this area, erosion was able to remove the limestone more quickly and the Martinsloch was formed.
The rockfall on the Tschingelhorn was a wake-up call for all those who appreciate the beauty of nature. The Martinsloch remains unscathed for the time being, but the incident has made it clear how quickly the situation can change. It is up to us to preserve the wonders of nature while respecting its dangers. The region remains a fascinating destination, but also a place where safety and respect for nature must be paramount.
Martinsloch from the Grisons side, watercolor by Hans Conrad Escher, July 22, 1812
Many legends surround the famous rock formation. The best known, however, is the one about the shepherd Martin, who herded his animals on the Elmer side. One day, a giant from Flims attacked the herd and tried to steal some sheep. But Martin bravely defended his animals and the giant ran away. Martin hurled his shepherd's crook after the giant, but the crook hit the Tschingel horns instead of the giant. There was a mighty rumble and crash and a huge avalanche of rock thundered down into the valley. When the dust had settled and calm had returned, a triangular hole could be seen in the rock, which was henceforth called Martin's Hole.
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