Surselva and the Geology of the Alps

14 April 2024

Collisions and the drifting apart of continental plates have repeatedly reshaped the crust of the Earth.

They created mountains that eroded and disappeared, including those on the Eurasian continent. Once, there were higher mountains than today’s Alps on the continent. Millions of years later, there were oceans. They all disappeared over time.

When the African plate collided with the Eurasian plate about 35 to 20 million years ago, today’s Alps were formed. The African plate and the bottom of the primordial sea Tethys, situated between the two continental plates, were pushed over the Eurasian plate in a process that took millions of years. Nature has all the time and always leaves traces. Researchers are increasingly able to disclose this fascinating history.

The great variety, shapes, and structures of stones, rocks, fossils, and (marine) animal and plant life give an idea of the time the Earth took and has to become what it is today. It also shows that the Earth as a planet has no judgment on climate change and is constantly reinventing itself.

The Surselva (canton of Graubünden) is a region of unique geological features, a testament to the Earth’s rich and diverse history. Many types of rocks, each with its own story, can be found next to and on top of each other, offering a glimpse into the Earth’s past over millions of years.

The exhibition ‘Schichtwechsel – La Surselva’ in Ilanz is a huge collection of rocks and stones and a journey through time and space. It places them in a geological context, offering a unique educational experience and informing visitors about the Earth’s fascinating geological history.

The exhibition of about 200 stones, sometimes weighing several tonnes, is an installation of individual stones or groups of stones in various places. Each stone represents a specific species and a period in evolution.

The Museum Regiunal Surselva in Ilanz explains the different aspects of the theme and knowledge about the geology and tectonic features of the Surselva in more detail.