The Rossera erratic
This, one of the most distinctive natural monuments in the area, is characteristic for the texture of the rock, described as "occhiadina" or bright-eyed gneiss, because its whitish crystals resemble eyes.
This large gneiss rock (a metamorphic rock rich in quartz) is protected by law, and it is important for its utility in reconstructing the area's geological history. Its distinctive characteristic is a texture known locally as "occhiadina", bright-eyed gneiss, so-called because of the whitish crystals which, compressed during the rock's fiery formation in the depths of the earth, have an appearance analogous to that of an eye. Like other massive rocks that can be found in this province, this is an example of a geological phenomenon of great importance that took place from about 60,000 years ago. Over the course of successive glaciations, the detritus from glaciers in the Simplon and Gotthard area was carried down the valleys in a process that can be compared to gigantic rock falls. This detritus included a number of gigantic rocks, such as this, which can still today be seen in the area. During the retreat and melting of these vast areas of ice, which once extended almost to the peaks of our mountains, the massive blocks of rock remained where they had settled, becoming distinctive features of the landscape from then on.
This large gneiss rock (a metamorphic rock rich in quartz) is protected by law, and it is important for its utility in reconstructing the area's geological history. Its distinctive characteristic is a texture known locally as "occhiadina", bright-eyed gneiss, so-called because of the whitish crystals which, compressed during the rock's fiery formation in the depths of the earth, have an appearance analogous to that of an eye. Like other massive rocks that can be found in this province, this is an example of a geological phenomenon of great importance that took place from about 60,000 years ago. Over the course of successive glaciations, the detritus from glaciers in the Simplon and Gotthard area was carried down the valleys in a process that can be compared to gigantic rock falls. This detritus included a number of gigantic rocks, such as this, which can still today be seen in the area. During the retreat and melting of these vast areas of ice, which once extended almost to the peaks of our mountains, the massive blocks of rock remained where they had settled, becoming distinctive features of the landscape from then on.
