Ice holes

Climatic event: Mountain flora at 500 m above sea level

The ice holes of Appiano are located in the forest between Appiano and Caldaro. The location of the debris provokes an extreme difference in temperature (especially in summer) in confront to the "outside world".

Why? Because...

Due to the opening of the quartz porphyry, warm air enters the stone heaps. The rocks behind the stone heaps had been cooled in winter. Also the warm summe air cools down, sinks and leaves again the stones. A temperature between zero and nine degrees now refreshes the surronding. The area, where high alpine plants grow, is about 200 m long and 50 m wide. This is really not an every-day phenomenon.

By the way: the ice holes are located at the foot of the Mendola mountain, a hiking area that is definitely worth to be explored.