Valle Aurina is the northernmost part of Italy and is considered one of the most pristine valleys in all of South Tyrol. It is characterized by breathtaking scenery, near Lake Neves, and the presence of over 80 peaks reaching three thousand metres.

Unfortunately, even in this area glaciers are in retreat. This is of course a very serious aspect, but in some cases it allows geologists to observe outcrops that are perfectly exposed on glacier-polished surfaces, having ideal conditions to study deformation processes.

Here we are on the Mesule glacier together with Giorgio Pennacchioni, Full Frofessor of the Department of Geosciences of the University of Padua, who for over 20 years has periodically carried out surveys in this area. 

A key tool for carrying out this type of investigation are drones and photogrammetry programs with which it is possible to obtain three-dimensional models of the structures present, with very high detail.

Professor Pennacchioni is a field geologist and he has traveled around many areas of the world: "I have often worked in front of glaciers precisely because they give the possibility of having these ultra-clean rocks where you can see everything. This area is a unique example for variety of structures and exposure of the outcrops. Furthermore Aurina Valley is spectacular".

Pictures and videos by Stefano Castelli

Editing video by Barbara Paknazar