Morcles Nappe

The Subalpine chains pass into Switzerland and the structural styles changes markedly. This is particularly evident here - the Morcles nappe. This structure contains individual folds that can be traced SW to the Bornes-Aravis area. But here the bulk structure is very different. The Morcles is a classic Alpine nappe structure. In essence it is a large near-recumbent anticline with a well-developed lower limb within which the rocks have been turned up side down. This lower limb contains small scale structures which are very different to those found in its upper limb. So presumably the two limbs have deformed in different ways. You can investigate these differences by visiting the sites indicated by boxes on the section below.