Mont Blanc: the area and its Alpine geology

Part of the Shear Zone Channel. Mont Blanc, the highest summit of the Alps and yet interpretations of the tectonic structure of the area are contested by geologists. We can visit some of the key localities in this dramatic landscape and develop the idea that the continental crust - the basement rocks that form the Mont Blanc massif - have been carried up on a major crustal scale thrust. It's a key structure in the NW Alps.Check out other content on the "Alpine videos" playlist.

[paulfidler]

As always, absolutely brilliant. It’s so much more enjoyable because you give so much context, and I love your drawings as well which really help.

[andrewjohnston]

Having lived and worked as Geologist in Geneva for a while, I was delighted with this straightforward explanation of the Structural geology of Mont Blanc and Chamonix valley. Really nice job Rob many thanks.

[ijqoxls]

Thank you for leading us a great visit to the Blanc, the highest mount in Europe. The Late Paleozoic Granitic intrusions and their ontop Tethys basins was uplift in the active continental margin between Euroasian and African plates. There are so many good points of kinematic markers to thrust shear zones.

[tgfgrys]

This is exactly where Air India crash site happened in 1966. The plane carried Homi J Bahabha, Indias nuclear scientist. Some say US bombed it. I hope not. Homi J Bhabha was a very intelligent and interesting man! His poor mother was inconsolable and stated, ' Now my Homi is never coming home' 💜🥀 Also his office at his place of work was doors closed, for years, remaining the way it was when Homi left it. It was many years before it was opened and cleaned out. Sad sad story. 💜🥀 i couldnt imagine crashing here....the weather was to intense to search. TODAY marks the 57 year anniversary of the Air India crash here at Mont Blanc. 💜🥀
And thank you for ur excellent teaching of this most beautiful part of earth!! Extremly interesting information that you have provided to us all! Thankyou so much!

[philippeengammare]

I was in Chamonix two weeks ago. Yes, it's nice to swim nude in the mountain lakes and the water was not cold at all (usually we have to be courageous to dive in cold water), but it's not normal, the glaciers are melting.

[micklumb]

Thank you...I really enjoy your videos. Any chance you'll include any trips over to Ireland? Mind you, I fully realize that my old 'neck of the woods' (Northern Ireland) is not as tectonically stimulating.

[mathewvanhorn]

Excellent job, very informative,
question on the Jurasic limestone, how do you know if the beds are overturned? sedimentary features to determine which way is up?
thanks for the great videos

[SaeedAhmed-sbqb]

Dear Rob, excellent explanation of geology. Currently I am working on triassic play in Western Suleiman fold belt of Pakistan. There are are huge repeated lithology of cretaceous to triassic. Do you have any plan to visit?