{{Short description|Glacier in the Bernese Alps, Switzerland}} {{Infobox glacier | name = Eiger Glacier | other_name = Eigergletscher | image = Image:Eigergletscher20070715.JPG | caption = The Eiger Glacier, passing between the Little Eiger and the Mönch | map = Switzerland#Alps | map_caption = Location in Switzerland | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 12 | mapframe-wikidata = yes | type = Alpine glacier, hanging glacier | location = Lauterbrunnen, Bern, Switzerland | coordinates = {{Coord|46|34|02|N|7|59|20|E|type:glacier_region:CH-VS|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref = <ref name=map/> | area = {{convert|1.54|km²|abbr=on}}<ref name=GLAMOS /> | length = {{convert|2.59|km|abbr=on}}<ref name=GLAMOS /> | elevation_max = {{convert|3700|m|abbr=on}} above sea level | elevation_min = {{convert|3200|m|abbr=on}} above sea level | status = Retreating }}

The '''Eiger Glacier''' ({{langx|de|Eigergletscher}}) is a glacier situated on the northwest side of the Eiger in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland, within the municipality of Lauterbrunnen in the canton of Bern.<ref name=map>{{cite map | publisher = Swiss Confederation | title = Maps of Switzerland | url = https://map.geo.admin.ch/#/map?lang=en&center=2642228.55,1157480.74&z=6&topic=ech&layers=ch.swisstopo.swissboundaries3d-gemeinde-flaeche.fill@year=2025;ch.swisstopo.swissboundaries3d-kanton-flaeche.fill&bgLayer=ch.swisstopo.pixelkarte-farbe&featureInfo=default | year = 2025 | access-date = 2025-01-31}}</ref> It extends from a height of {{convert|3700|m|abbr=on}} above sea level behind the Little Eiger, a secondary peak to the west of the Eiger, and runs toward the valley in the direction of the Eigergletscher railway station. Another tongue, at {{convert|3200|to|3500|m|abbr=on}} above sea level, is in the form of a hanging glacier between the Eiger and Little Eiger.

The glacier is {{convert|2.59|km|abbr=on}} long, with an area of {{convert|1.54|km²|abbr=on}}, reduced from an area of {{convert|2.13|km²|abbr=on}} recorded in 1973.<ref name=GLAMOS>{{cite web | url = https://www.glamos.ch/en/factsheet#/A54m-03 | title = Factsheet: Eigergletscher | publisher = GLAMOS (Glacier Monitoring Switzerland) | accessdate = 2025-01-31}}</ref> From 1993 to 2017, it retreated by around {{convert|500|m|abbr=on}} as the glacier melted.<ref name=GLAMOS />

== History == In 1990, a large, continuous crack was discovered during a helicopter flight, leading the {{ill|Research Institute for Hydraulic Engineering, Hydrology and Glaciology at ETH Zurich|de|Versuchsanstalt für Wasserbau, Hydrologie und Glaziologie der ETH Zürich}} to begin research to better understand hanging glaciers and develop measures to protect the Jungfrau railway station. The threatened collapse occurred later that year, but without causing any damage. Since then, an automatic camera has taken a photo of the glacier every day.<ref>{{cite book |last=Krebs |first=Peter |title=Eiger – Die vertikale Arena |publisher=AS Verlag |year=2008 |editor-last=Anker |editor-first=Daniel |edition=4th |location=Zürich |chapter=Eisschlauch – Die eisige Westside-Story}}</ref>

In 2017, researchers from the University of Bern used detectors in the Jungfrau railway tunnel to produce 3D imaging of the Eiger Glacier’s firn layer, reaching depths of up to 80 metres. A study published in ''Geophysical Research Letters'' found that the glacier’s movement parallel to steep rock faces had caused lateral erosion. The researchers noted that continued monitoring is important, as receding ice may increase rockfall risk in an area with tourist facilities and a research station.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 June 2017 |title=Swiss scientists X-ray Eiger glacier |url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/sci-tech/glaciology_swiss-scientists-x-ray-eiger-glacier/43265002 |access-date=2 July 2025 |website=Swissinfo}}</ref>

[[File:Schilthorn 2970m Panorama Wetterhorn bis Louwihorn 20160823.jpg|thumb|center|upright=2.0|Panorama seen from the Schilthorn. Glaciers, from left to right: {{ill|Gutz Glacier|de|Gutzgletscher}}, Chrinnengletscher, Upper Grindelwald Glacier, Eigergletscher, {{ill|Nollen Glacier|de|Nollengletscher (Lauterbrunnen)}}, {{ill|Guggi Glacier|de|Guggigletscher}}, {{ill|Giessen Glacier|de|Giessengletscher}}, {{ill|Silberhorn Glacier|de|Silberhorngletscher}}, Hochfirn (Jungfrau), Rottal-Hochfirn, and {{ill|Rottal Glacier|de|Rottalgletscher (Lauterbrunnen)}}]]

== See also ==

* List of glaciers in Switzerland * Swiss Alps

== References ==

{{reflist}}

== External links ==

{{Commons category|Eigergletscher}} *[https://glamos.ch/en/mapviewer#/A54m-03&A54e-24&B43-03 Eigergletscher page from the Swiss glacier monitoring network]

Category:Glaciers of the canton of Bern Category:Glaciers of the Alps