PalsenA special feature of the Eifel and the High Fens is the occurrence of palsy structures. These are circular or elongated depressions, which were caused by thawing of Eislinsen. In the weathering rind, ice crystals accumulated in the last glacial period, which in time grew into large ice lentils. The earth above the lenses continued to bulge, leaving a mound above each lens. Similar phenomena can still be found to a great extent in the Arctic regions or to a lesser extent in the humpback meadows in Iceland or in the Alps. The uppermost layers of the Eislinsen thawed by the warming at the turn of the Pleistocene to the Holocene. The earth that covered the lenses slid sideways so that the ice became free and could melt completely. In this way, round or oval depressions were created, the palses, which were surrounded by an adumbrium and filled with water. These naturally formed waters silted up over time, and fens formed within the ring-shaped earth wall. The milieu in these waters was mostly acidic, as the weathering of the liberated Cambrian Revin layers released sulfuric acid. So good conditions for the growth of peat mosses and thus for a bog vegetation, which replaced the fens.Today in the Eifel, e.g. in Mützenicher Venn, as well as in the Hohe Venn still to find some of these structures. In the interior of the Palsen is still often a moor vegetation with peat mosses (Sphagnum sp., Especially S. paillosum and S. fallax), sundew (Droserea rotundifolia), rosemary heath (Andromeda polifolia) and the bog berry (Vaccinium oxycoccus). In contrast, plants that grow in arid areas of raised bogs grow on the mound. This includes e.g. the heather (Calluna vulgaris). The pals are especially beautiful in the Brackvenn and in the Hatsicher Venn. Brackvenn and Hatsicher Venn lie almost directly next to each other and can be combined well.
October 16, 2016
The Venn exercises in all seasons, even in rain or fog-fascination, actually every man / woman!
But in the warm season you have to pay attention to the red flags = blocking due to fire! Otherwise, only access for each man / woman in the so-called A and B zones.
February 13, 2018
Scientists date the origin of the Palsen in the High Fens to the end of the last ice age about 10,000 to 11.00 years ago. Freezing processes in the permafrost ground caused more water to be drawn in from greater depths, which led to the growth of the frost hills. As soon as the upper soil layers of the Palsen thawed in warmer summers, the descending layers of soil built up to form debris on the edge of the frost hill. This process accelerated with warming. The complete thawing of the frost hills was accompanied by a lowering of the lateral soil layers, which gave rise to pools that quickly filled with rainwater. Source: eifel-natur-reisen.de/de/georaum/hohes-venn/palsen
February 13, 2021
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