PassmoreLab Explores Eisriesenwelt
Eisriesenwelt, the world's largest ice cave, is the focus of an upcoming episode of the educational tv series "Inner Earth." Filmed by San Diego-based PassmoreLab, the "Inner Earth" episode on Eisriesenwelt will discuss the beauty and geology of the cave, as well as its connection to the culture that surrounds it.
San Diego, CA (PRWEB) November 10, 2007 -- Eisriesenwelt, the world's largest ice cave, is the focus of an upcoming episode of the educational tv series "Inner Earth." Filmed by San Diego-based PassmoreLab, the "Inner Earth" episode on Eisriesenwelt will discuss the beauty and geology of the cave, as well as its connection to the culture that surrounds it.
PassmoreLab's film crew trekked high into the Alps to explore Eisriesenwelt. The footage they brought back speaks to the beauty and grandeur of this massive cave. Over 40 km long, Eisriesenwelt, which means "World of the Ice Giants" in German, is filled with huge ice formations. It's a dynamic cave, one that is constantly changing, but each layer of ice has a story to tell. Like a history book, layer by layer, it reveals clues to the past; what the weather, soil and forest conditions were like in the ancient past.
Alois Rettenbacher, Manager of Operations in the Austrian forest where the cave is located, provided insight into what the makes the cave so dynamic, "Because the cave has two entrances, the wind pushes into the cave in the winter and it blows out in the summer." said Rettenbacher. "Because of this, the cold air is stored in the cave and ice grows during the spring. Global warming is causing the cave to have more ice as the snow melts more during the spring." Therefore, the cave is different every year because there are new ice deposits creating new formations.
PassmoreLab's owner, Greg Passmore, further discusses this phenomenon. "The cave is an incredible record of paleoclimatology. Looking at the slabs of ice, you can see season after season of ice deposits. Materials from the surface have washed in with the ice every year, deep-freezing samples of plants, soil and more." said Passmore. "These are like tree rings, but for thousands of years."
Eisriesenwelt has not only recorded history but it has played a part in shaping it too. It was for this reason that the PassmoreLab film crew decided to capture imagery of the culture surrounding the cave. The team made stops at Oktoberfest and the Neuschwanstein Castle. While the decision to attend Oktoberfest may seem unusual, there's actually a longstanding relationship between caves and the festival's beverage of choice - beer. Beer that's produced in the Alps was, and often still is, fermented in caves. Storing beer in the icy caves prevented spoilage and eventually led to the creation of lager.
The upcoming "Inner Earth" episode also explores the Neushwanstein Castle. The 19th century Bavarian palace, built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria is a stunning homage to Richard Wagner and one of the most popular tourist destinations in Germany. It's interesting to note that one of the rooms Ludwig had built is an artificial cave complete with stalactites and a waterfall. This is yet another example of the importance caves played in the history of the Alps.
The "Inner Earth" team feels the footage they've captured will help educate and entertain viewers about massive ice caves and their impact on the culture of the Alps.
For more on this and other "Inner Earth" episodes, visit www.innerearth.tv.
About PassmoreLab
PassmoreLab started in San Diego in 2003. The company's staff is comprised of programmers and scientific engineers. The company also employs several graphic artists, videographers, a musical composer and even a biologist. PassmoreLab facilities include a full studio, post production facilities, an optical development lab and a software development environment. PassmoreLab is a firm with staff around the world in San Diego, South Africa and Russia.
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