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During colder periods, the Alps looked just like Iceland or Svalbard today - wide valleys without vegetation. Some were entirely covered with ice over 1000 m thick and a lot of large glaciers advancing towards the lower levels formed huge lobes.
 
 

	An aerial view of Svalbard

Are scientists able to report on how far those glaciers have moved? Can one still perceive those ice edges in the landscape? The answer might come from satellites, thanks to their unique capability of observing the Earth.

This project will show you how to identify glacier-shaped landscapes using images collected by the Landsat satellite in visible and infrared bands, and by the ERS satellite through its microwave radar instrument.

An overview on the Alps' geology is also provided, showing the maximum extent of the ice shield in past glaciation eras.

The Landsat-Mosaic of the Alps can provide you with the image section of the area you wish to study.
 
 

Satellite image

For radar SAR images, go to the Eduspace Image Catalogue and follow the instructions to download Landsat and ERS-1 SAR images of the Alps.

Let's compile an overview map of the Aosta Valley, using a satellite image (left) and a map.

First have a look at the geography in the satellite image. Can you recognise the river and the major villages in the valley?
 
 

	Geological map

Identify the main peaks in the catchment area. The mountain slopes have all contributed to form a huge ice mass, filling out the valley, then entering into the Po River plain.

Look at the geological map to find out how far the ice moved (dashed blue line = last ice age; solid blue line = maximum ice extension).

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