Across the river:
Past river dynamics and landscapes in the Upper Rhine Graben - a trans-border approach

Project duration: September 15 – February 2016

Participants: Dr Claire Rambeau, Prof. Frank Preusser, Geology FREIBURG; Prof. Laurent Schmitt, Jérôme Houssier, Physical Geography STRASBOURG

The river dynamics and landscape evolution in the Upper Rhine Graben during the Holocene (last 11,500 yr.) are presently poorly known. This applies in particular to the German bank of the River Rhine. This pilot study and follow-up projects aim at bridging this gap in knowledge by 1) extensively studying the German side of the Upper Rhine Graben with regard to reconstructing river dynamics and 2) investigating the Holocene environmental evolution on both sides of the river. This study will enhance the collaboration between the University of Freiburg and partner universities on both the French and German side. Ultimately, this pilot study is the kick-off for a greater research initiative that aims at contributing to a better understanding of the River Rhine dynamics, and provide data to enable its future sustainable management.