Karbonflora am Bifertengrätli
The sediments on the Bifertengrätli have their origin in the Carboniferous period: the climate was humid and warm, so that a rich flora of tree-like plants could thrive, which grew up to 30 meters in height. The Carboniferous flora could expand infinitely on the land, as there were no large, herbivorous vertebrates at that time.
From time to time, the plants on the flat plains were flooded, died and became embedded in the mud of the mighty moors. Later, coal deposits were formed from these moors, which today include the largest coal deposits on earth.
The embedded Carboniferous sediments were folded into the Aar massif during the Variscan mountain formation. Due to renewed uplifts and folds of the Variscan mountains at the end of the Carboniferous period, the coal series were folded between the crystalline basement and were thus brought back to the surface in some places.
At the Bifertengrätli, such coal-bearing Carboniferous sediments occur as a 150 m thick continuous layered structure. It was not until 1879 that the Carboniferous flora was discovered on the Bifertengrätli. Today, the Sedimante are considered the oldest fossil-bearing rocks in Switzerland.
The best way to reach the Bifertengrätli is on a multi-day tour with an overnight stay at the Fridolinshütte SAC. Since there is no designated hiking trail to the Bifertengrätli, it is best to book a guided journey of discovery with the local geologist and geoguide Mark Feldmann.
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