2023-02-20


Award from the EuChemS for Jungfraujoch: Historical Landmark 2021

The EuChemS Historical Landmarks programme aims at designating sites in Europe where:

  • events in chemistry (be it social, theoretical, experimental, pedagogic, industrial…) occurred that
  • have been important to the European or local (regional) chemical community and/or
  • have inspired a sense of European or local (regional) belonging.

Annually, one historic site is selected and awarded during an official ceremonial act. https://www.euchems.eu/awards/euchems-historical-landmarks/

As part of the celebration activities of the EuChemS Historical Landmark Award 2021 that is awarded to the High Altitude Research Station Jungfraujoch, the Swiss Chemical Society and the International Foundation High Altitude Research Stations Jungfraujoch & Gornergrat organized a one-day symposium on February 16, 2023 in Bern, with national and international experts as lecturers and guests.

The Jungfraujoch High Altitude Research Station, Switzerland, was awarded the EuChemS Historical Landmark Award in recognition of the pioneering work and exceptional “liaison réussie” between the research group of Prof. Marcel Migeotte (1912-1992) with collaborators from the University of Liège, Belgium, and the International Foundation of the High Altitude Research Stations Jungfraujoch and Gornergrat (HFSJG), Switzerland. History was made at this alpine site in terms of the first fundamental measurements and early identification of harmful atmospheric constituents, such as anthropogenic greenhouse gases, and evidence of how their presence in our atmosphere has changed over the last 70 years. Our current understanding of atmospheric chemistry and physics in the context of Earth’s climate system would not be possible without the visionary approach of asking the right questions, developing cutting-edge instrumentation and forging strong coalitions at a seminal time for atmospheric chemistry.

Program and photos of symposium and photos of the ceremonial act at Jungfraujoch

EuChemS Symposium. Photo: HFSJG

EuChemS Symposium. Photo: HFSJG

Floris Rutjes, EuChemS and Markus Leuenberger, HFSJG. Photo: SCS

Floris Rutjes, EuChemS and Markus Leuenberger, HFSJG. Photo: SCS

The following day, on February 17, 2023, the Historical Landmark plaque was unveiled in the framework of a ceremonial act at Jungfraujoch.

Award plaques at the entrance to the Sphinx-laboratories at Jungfraujoch. Photo: HFSJG

Award plaques at the entrance to the Sphinx-laboratories at Jungfraujoch. Photo: HFSJG

Group-photo on the Sphinx-terrace at Jungfraujoch. Photo: HFSJG