Gloppedalsura, Stone scree in Bjerkreim and Gjesdal, Norway
Gloppedalsura is a vast expanse of broken stone between Veen and Byrkjedalstunet in southwestern Norway, forming Northern Europe's largest scree field. The landscape is covered with countless boulders of varying sizes scattered across a broad valley, creating a dramatic rocky terrain.
This stone field formed about 12,300 years ago when an ice-dammed lake collapsed in the area. During World War II in 1940, Norwegian soldiers used the natural stone formation as a defensive position against German forces.
Geologists and researchers from the University of Bergen conduct studies at this location to understand the formation processes of rock avalanches and their impact on landscapes.
The site sits along Route RV503 with marked viewpoints where visitors can observe the landscape from different angles. Parking areas are available for those who wish to walk closer to the stone field and explore the terrain on foot.
Scientists studying the stone blocks have revealed erosion patterns that show how the rocks have moved and shifted over the millennia. These marks and grooves in the stone tell a physical history of the field's development.
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