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• 1. [Article] Investigating the Holocene History of Eliot Glacier, Mount Hood, Oregon

  This research documents the Holocene glacial history of Mount Hood, Cascade Mountains, Oregon by analyzing a set of three lateral moraines abutting Eliot Glacier, the largest glacier on the mountain. This ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Investigating the Holocene History of Eliot Glacier, Mount Hood, Oregon Author: Jones, Nadia Sittara Year: 2012 This research documents the Holocene glacial history of Mount Hood, Cascade Mountains, Oregon by analyzing a set of three lateral moraines abutting Eliot Glacier, the largest glacier on the mountain. This study seeks to: 1) establish the relative ages of these lateral moraines and 2) determine if these features represent distinct glacial advances. The hypothesis is that the lateral moraines for Eliot Glacier represent three distinct periods of glacial advance based on their position relative to the current glacier and other diagnostic indicators. Soil profiles of three positions (shoulder, backslope, and footslope) on the distal side of each lateral moraine were described in the field and samples were taken from each horizon for laboratory analyses of pH and particle size. The results of the soil analysis show that the soils developing on the moraine closest to the current glacier are poorly developed and significantly younger than the other two features. The closest moraine likely dates to the Little Ice Age (600-150 YBP) and has soils with an A/C profile and a classification of Andic Cryopsamment. The soils on the middle and furthest moraines from the glacier are similar in the profile sequence (Andic Haplocryepts). Silt bulges were noted in the mid-slope pits. The furthest moraine has deeper horizons and more color development than the middle moraine. Ash layers were found in the backslope soil profile (36-51cm deep) on the middle moraine. Additional lab testing confirms the ash layers originated from Mount Hood, but no date can be assigned. The eruptive history of Mount Hood points to the Timberline eruptive period (1,500 YBP) as a likely candidate for one of the ash deposits. This evidence suggests the middle moraine was actively forming during this period and is intermediate in age between the furthest moraine and the Little Ice Age Moraine; hence, this sequence of moraines indicates three distinct periods of glacial advance in the Neoglacial. Title: Investigating the Holocene History of Eliot Glacier, Mount Hood, Oregon Author: Jones, Nadia Sittara Year: 2012 This research documents the Holocene glacial history of Mount Hood, Cascade Mountains, Oregon by analyzing a set of three lateral moraines abutting Eliot Glacier, the largest glacier on the mountain. This study seeks to: 1) establish the relative ages of these lateral moraines and 2) determine if these features represent distinct glacial advances. The hypothesis is that the lateral moraines for Eliot Glacier represent three distinct periods of glacial advance based on their position relative to the current glacier and other diagnostic indicators. Soil profiles of three positions (shoulder, backslope, and footslope) on the distal side of each lateral moraine were described in the field and samples were taken from each horizon for laboratory analyses of pH and particle size. The results of the soil analysis show that the soils developing on the moraine closest to the current glacier are poorly developed and significantly younger than the other two features. The closest moraine likely dates to the Little Ice Age (600-150 YBP) and has soils with an A/C profile and a classification of Andic Cryopsamment. The soils on the middle and furthest moraines from the glacier are similar in the profile sequence (Andic Haplocryepts). Silt bulges were noted in the mid-slope pits. The furthest moraine has deeper horizons and more color development than the middle moraine. Ash layers were found in the backslope soil profile (36-51cm deep) on the middle moraine. Additional lab testing confirms the ash layers originated from Mount Hood, but no date can be assigned. The eruptive history of Mount Hood points to the Timberline eruptive period (1,500 YBP) as a likely candidate for one of the ash deposits. This evidence suggests the middle moraine was actively forming during this period and is intermediate in age between the furthest moraine and the Little Ice Age Moraine; hence, this sequence of moraines indicates three distinct periods of glacial advance in the Neoglacial. Close

• 2. [Article] Glacier Status and Contribution to Streamflow in the Olympic Mountains, USA

  The Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA, currently holds 184 alpine glaciers larger than 0.01 km² and their combined area is 30.2 ± 0.95km². Only four glaciers are >1km² and 120 of the others are -¹ (1900–80) ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Glacier Status and Contribution to Streamflow in the Olympic Mountains, USA Author: Riedel, Jon L., Wilson, Steve, Baccus, William, Larrabee, Michael, Fudge, T.J., Fountain, Andrew G. Year: 2015 The Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA, currently holds 184 alpine glaciers larger than 0.01 km² and their combined area is 30.2 ± 0.95km². Only four glaciers are >1km² and 120 of the others are -¹ (1900–80) to 0.54 km² a-¹ (1980–2009). Thinning rates on four of the largest glaciers averaged nearly 1ma-¹ from 1987 to 2010, resulting in estimated volume losses of 17–24%. Combined glacial snow, firn and ice melt in the Hoh watershed is in the range 63–79 ± 7 × 106m3, or 9–15% of total May–September streamflow. In the critical August–September period, the glacial fraction of total basin runoff increases to 18–30%, with one-third of the water directly from glacial ice (i.e. not snow and firn). Glaciers in the Elwha basin produce 12–15 ± 1.3 × 106m3 (2.5–4.0%), while those in the Dungeness basin contribute 2.5–3.1 ± 0.28 × 106m3 (3.0–3.8%). Title: Glacier Status and Contribution to Streamflow in the Olympic Mountains, USA Author: Riedel, Jon L., Wilson, Steve, Baccus, William, Larrabee, Michael, Fudge, T.J., Fountain, Andrew G. Year: 2015 The Olympic Peninsula, Washington, USA, currently holds 184 alpine glaciers larger than 0.01 km² and their combined area is 30.2 ± 0.95km². Only four glaciers are >1km² and 120 of the others are -¹ (1900–80) to 0.54 km² a-¹ (1980–2009). Thinning rates on four of the largest glaciers averaged nearly 1ma-¹ from 1987 to 2010, resulting in estimated volume losses of 17–24%. Combined glacial snow, firn and ice melt in the Hoh watershed is in the range 63–79 ± 7 × 106m3, or 9–15% of total May–September streamflow. In the critical August–September period, the glacial fraction of total basin runoff increases to 18–30%, with one-third of the water directly from glacial ice (i.e. not snow and firn). Glaciers in the Elwha basin produce 12–15 ± 1.3 × 106m3 (2.5–4.0%), while those in the Dungeness basin contribute 2.5–3.1 ± 0.28 × 106m3 (3.0–3.8%). Close

• 3. [Article] Hydrologic Response to Extreme Warm and Cold Summers in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, East Antarctica

  The meteorological characteristics and hydrological response of an extreme warm, and cold summer in the McMurdo Dry Valleys are compared. The driver behind the warmer summer conditions was the occurrence ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Hydrologic Response to Extreme Warm and Cold Summers in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, East Antarctica Author: Doran, Peter T., McKay, Christopher P., Fountain, Andrew G., Nylen, Thomas H., McKnight, Diane M., Jaros, Chris, Barrett, John E. Year: 2008 The meteorological characteristics and hydrological response of an extreme warm, and cold summer in the McMurdo Dry Valleys are compared. The driver behind the warmer summer conditions was the occurrence of down-valley winds, which were not present during the colder summer. Occurrence of the summer down-valley winds coincided with lower than typical mean sea level pressure in the Ross Sea region. There was no significant difference in the amount of solar radiation received during the two summers. Compared to the cold summer, glaciological and hydrological response to the warm summer in Taylor Valley included significant glacier mass loss, and 3- to nearly 6000-fold increase in annual streamflow. Lake levels decreased slightly during the cold summer, and increased between 0.54 and 1.01 m during the warm summer, effectively erasing the prior 14 years of lake level lowering in a period of three months. Lake level rise during the warm summer was shown to be strongly associated with and increase in degree days above freezing at higher elevations. We suggest that strong summer down-valley winds may have been responsible for the generation of large glacial lakes during the Last Glacial Maximum when ice core records recorded annual temperatures significantly colder than present. Title: Hydrologic Response to Extreme Warm and Cold Summers in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, East Antarctica Author: Doran, Peter T., McKay, Christopher P., Fountain, Andrew G., Nylen, Thomas H., McKnight, Diane M., Jaros, Chris, Barrett, John E. Year: 2008 The meteorological characteristics and hydrological response of an extreme warm, and cold summer in the McMurdo Dry Valleys are compared. The driver behind the warmer summer conditions was the occurrence of down-valley winds, which were not present during the colder summer. Occurrence of the summer down-valley winds coincided with lower than typical mean sea level pressure in the Ross Sea region. There was no significant difference in the amount of solar radiation received during the two summers. Compared to the cold summer, glaciological and hydrological response to the warm summer in Taylor Valley included significant glacier mass loss, and 3- to nearly 6000-fold increase in annual streamflow. Lake levels decreased slightly during the cold summer, and increased between 0.54 and 1.01 m during the warm summer, effectively erasing the prior 14 years of lake level lowering in a period of three months. Lake level rise during the warm summer was shown to be strongly associated with and increase in degree days above freezing at higher elevations. We suggest that strong summer down-valley winds may have been responsible for the generation of large glacial lakes during the Last Glacial Maximum when ice core records recorded annual temperatures significantly colder than present. Close

• 4. [Article] Climate Change Impacts on Precipitation Extremes over the Columbia River Basin Based on Downscaled CMIP5 Climate Scenarios

  Hydro-climate extreme analysis helps understanding the process of spatio-temporal variation of extreme events due to climate change, and it is an important aspect in designing hydrological structures, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Climate Change Impacts on Precipitation Extremes over the Columbia River Basin Based on Downscaled CMIP5 Climate Scenarios Author: Dars, Ghulam Hussain Year: 2013 Hydro-climate extreme analysis helps understanding the process of spatio-temporal variation of extreme events due to climate change, and it is an important aspect in designing hydrological structures, forecasting floods and an effective decision making in the field of water resources design and management. The study evaluates extreme precipitation events over the Columbia River Basin (CRB), the fourth largest basin in the U.S., by simulating four CMIP5 global climate models (GCMs) for the historical period (1970-1999) and future period (2041-2070) under RCP85 GHG scenario. We estimated the intensity of extreme and average precipitation for both winter (DJF) and summer (JJA) seasons by using the GEV distribution and multi-model ensemble average over the domain of the Columbia River Basin. The four CMIP5 models performed very well at simulating precipitation extremes in the winter season. The CMIP5 climate models showed heterogeneous spatial pattern of summer extreme precipitation over the CRB for the future period. It was noticed that multi-model ensemble mean outperformed compared to the individual performance of climate models for both seasons. We have found that the multi-model ensemble shows a consistent and significant increase in the extreme precipitation events in the west of the Cascades Range, Coastal Ranges of Oregon and Washington State, the Canadian portion of the basin and over the Rocky Mountains. However, the mean precipitation is projected to decrease in both winter and summer seasons in the future period. The Columbia River is dominated by the glacial snowmelt, so the increase in the intensity of extreme precipitation and decrease in mean precipitation in the future period, as simulated by four CMIP5 models, is expected to aggravate the earlier snowmelt and contribute to the flooding in the low lying areas especially in the west of the Cascades Range. In addition, the climate change shift could have serious implications on transboundary water issues in between the United States and Canada. Therefore, adaptation strategies should be devised to cope the possible adverse effects of the changing the future climate so that it could have minimal influence on hydrology, agriculture, aquatic species, hydro-power generation, human health and other water related infrastructure. Title: Climate Change Impacts on Precipitation Extremes over the Columbia River Basin Based on Downscaled CMIP5 Climate Scenarios Author: Dars, Ghulam Hussain Year: 2013 Hydro-climate extreme analysis helps understanding the process of spatio-temporal variation of extreme events due to climate change, and it is an important aspect in designing hydrological structures, forecasting floods and an effective decision making in the field of water resources design and management. The study evaluates extreme precipitation events over the Columbia River Basin (CRB), the fourth largest basin in the U.S., by simulating four CMIP5 global climate models (GCMs) for the historical period (1970-1999) and future period (2041-2070) under RCP85 GHG scenario. We estimated the intensity of extreme and average precipitation for both winter (DJF) and summer (JJA) seasons by using the GEV distribution and multi-model ensemble average over the domain of the Columbia River Basin. The four CMIP5 models performed very well at simulating precipitation extremes in the winter season. The CMIP5 climate models showed heterogeneous spatial pattern of summer extreme precipitation over the CRB for the future period. It was noticed that multi-model ensemble mean outperformed compared to the individual performance of climate models for both seasons. We have found that the multi-model ensemble shows a consistent and significant increase in the extreme precipitation events in the west of the Cascades Range, Coastal Ranges of Oregon and Washington State, the Canadian portion of the basin and over the Rocky Mountains. However, the mean precipitation is projected to decrease in both winter and summer seasons in the future period. The Columbia River is dominated by the glacial snowmelt, so the increase in the intensity of extreme precipitation and decrease in mean precipitation in the future period, as simulated by four CMIP5 models, is expected to aggravate the earlier snowmelt and contribute to the flooding in the low lying areas especially in the west of the Cascades Range. In addition, the climate change shift could have serious implications on transboundary water issues in between the United States and Canada. Therefore, adaptation strategies should be devised to cope the possible adverse effects of the changing the future climate so that it could have minimal influence on hydrology, agriculture, aquatic species, hydro-power generation, human health and other water related infrastructure. Close

• 5. [Article] Phylogeographic Patterns and Intervarietal Relationships within Lupinus lepidus: Morphological Differences, Genetic Similarities

  Lupinus lepidus (Fabaceae) contains many morphologically divergent varieties and was restricted in its range during the last period of glaciation. A combination of phylogenetic (with the trnDT and LEGCYC1A ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Phylogeographic Patterns and Intervarietal Relationships within Lupinus lepidus: Morphological Differences, Genetic Similarities Author: Weitemier, Kevin Allen Year: 2010 Lupinus lepidus (Fabaceae) contains many morphologically divergent varieties and was restricted in its range during the last period of glaciation. A combination of phylogenetic (with the trnDT and LEGCYC1A loci) and population genetics approaches (with microsatellites and LEGCYC1A are used here to characterize intervarietal relationships and examine hypotheses of recolonization of areas in the Pacific Northwest affected by glaciation. Sequenced loci are not found to form a clade exclusive to L. lepidus, nor are any of the varieties found to form clades. Population genetics analyses reveal only negligible genetic structure within L. lepidus, with the majority of variation being found within populations. Isolation-by-distance analysis reveals some correlation between population genetic distances and geographic distance. Microsatellite and sequence results are consistent with a scenario whereby the Oregon and Washington regions were rapidly colonized from the south, with independent invasions along the eastern and western sides of the Cascade Mountains. A predicted disjunction between northern and southern populations is found within the microsatellite data but not the sequence data, suggesting that northern populations were recolonized via a process involving the spread of novel microsatellite mutations, perhaps through the persistence of a glacial refuge isolated from southern populations. Varieties are not shown to be genetically isolated, and are interpreted as representing ecotypes, with local selection outpacing the effects of migration. Title: Phylogeographic Patterns and Intervarietal Relationships within Lupinus lepidus: Morphological Differences, Genetic Similarities Author: Weitemier, Kevin Allen Year: 2010 Lupinus lepidus (Fabaceae) contains many morphologically divergent varieties and was restricted in its range during the last period of glaciation. A combination of phylogenetic (with the trnDT and LEGCYC1A loci) and population genetics approaches (with microsatellites and LEGCYC1A are used here to characterize intervarietal relationships and examine hypotheses of recolonization of areas in the Pacific Northwest affected by glaciation. Sequenced loci are not found to form a clade exclusive to L. lepidus, nor are any of the varieties found to form clades. Population genetics analyses reveal only negligible genetic structure within L. lepidus, with the majority of variation being found within populations. Isolation-by-distance analysis reveals some correlation between population genetic distances and geographic distance. Microsatellite and sequence results are consistent with a scenario whereby the Oregon and Washington regions were rapidly colonized from the south, with independent invasions along the eastern and western sides of the Cascade Mountains. A predicted disjunction between northern and southern populations is found within the microsatellite data but not the sequence data, suggesting that northern populations were recolonized via a process involving the spread of novel microsatellite mutations, perhaps through the persistence of a glacial refuge isolated from southern populations. Varieties are not shown to be genetically isolated, and are interpreted as representing ecotypes, with local selection outpacing the effects of migration. Close

• 6. [Article] The Neoglacial History of Mt. Thielsen, Southern Oregon Cascades

  Little Ice Age (LIA) deposits are recognized on Mt. Tbielsen, southern Oregon Cascades (43° 9' N, 122° 3' W), based on particle morphology and relative position. The initial advance, Lathrop 1, created ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Neoglacial History of Mt. Thielsen, Southern Oregon Cascades Author: Lafrenz, Martin Dietrich Year: 2001 Little Ice Age (LIA) deposits are recognized on Mt. Tbielsen, southern Oregon Cascades (43° 9' N, 122° 3' W), based on particle morphology and relative position. The initial advance, Lathrop 1, created a sharp-crested moraine and a protalus rampart within 200 m of the headwall. The retreat of the glacier and recent ice movement, Lathrop 2, is recognized by the deformation of the moraine and a mantle of "protalus till" creating a polygenetic "push-deformation'' moraine. Both the moraine and the protalus rampart have sparse vegetation, no lichens, and a lightly weathered Cox/C soil. This sequence is correlative with LIA Phase 1 and Phase 2 on Mt. Jefferson, central Oregon Cascades, and is broadly correlated with LIA deposits throughout the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and Rocky Mountains. There is no evidence for pre-LIA deposits at Mt. Thielsen. The ELA on Lathrop Glacier (2450 m) is lower than ELAs on nearby glaciers. The glacier probably exists because of its preferential topographic position and extensive debris cover; thus, if annual snowfall decreases the glacier will persist longer than a similar sized bare ice glacier. Conversely, a growing protalus rampart may indicate an increase in annual snowfall but not necessarily a decrease in annual temperatures. The lack of older Neoglacial deposits on Mt. Thielsen may be a result of insufficient snowfall to maintain or advance the Lathrop Glacier. As such, the LIA may represent a period when climatic conditions were more severe than at any other time in the Neoglacial. Boulder size, shape, and orientation proved useful for classifying geomorphic features and assessing the relative ages of slopes. However, soils are the best method for correlating deposits in the cirque with other locations. Soils beyond the moraine are developed in Mazama ash and have moderately developed Bw horizons, depth to weathering over 70 cm, and Harden's PDI for B horizons of 2.10-3.64. Soils are Typic Vitricryands. Title: The Neoglacial History of Mt. Thielsen, Southern Oregon Cascades Author: Lafrenz, Martin Dietrich Year: 2001 Little Ice Age (LIA) deposits are recognized on Mt. Tbielsen, southern Oregon Cascades (43° 9' N, 122° 3' W), based on particle morphology and relative position. The initial advance, Lathrop 1, created a sharp-crested moraine and a protalus rampart within 200 m of the headwall. The retreat of the glacier and recent ice movement, Lathrop 2, is recognized by the deformation of the moraine and a mantle of "protalus till" creating a polygenetic "push-deformation'' moraine. Both the moraine and the protalus rampart have sparse vegetation, no lichens, and a lightly weathered Cox/C soil. This sequence is correlative with LIA Phase 1 and Phase 2 on Mt. Jefferson, central Oregon Cascades, and is broadly correlated with LIA deposits throughout the Cascades, Sierra Nevada, and Rocky Mountains. There is no evidence for pre-LIA deposits at Mt. Thielsen. The ELA on Lathrop Glacier (2450 m) is lower than ELAs on nearby glaciers. The glacier probably exists because of its preferential topographic position and extensive debris cover; thus, if annual snowfall decreases the glacier will persist longer than a similar sized bare ice glacier. Conversely, a growing protalus rampart may indicate an increase in annual snowfall but not necessarily a decrease in annual temperatures. The lack of older Neoglacial deposits on Mt. Thielsen may be a result of insufficient snowfall to maintain or advance the Lathrop Glacier. As such, the LIA may represent a period when climatic conditions were more severe than at any other time in the Neoglacial. Boulder size, shape, and orientation proved useful for classifying geomorphic features and assessing the relative ages of slopes. However, soils are the best method for correlating deposits in the cirque with other locations. Soils beyond the moraine are developed in Mazama ash and have moderately developed Bw horizons, depth to weathering over 70 cm, and Harden's PDI for B horizons of 2.10-3.64. Soils are Typic Vitricryands. Close

• 7. [Article] Geology of the Breitenbush Hot Springs area, Cascade Range, Oregon

  The Breitenbush Hot Springs area lies on the boundary of folded middle to late Tertiary Western Cascade rocks and younger High Cascade rocks. Within the mapped area the Western Cascade rocks are represented ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Geology of the Breitenbush Hot Springs area, Cascade Range, Oregon Author: Clayton, Clifford Michael Year: 1976 The Breitenbush Hot Springs area lies on the boundary of folded middle to late Tertiary Western Cascade rocks and younger High Cascade rocks. Within the mapped area the Western Cascade rocks are represented by four formations. The Detroit Beds, a sequence of interstratified tuffaceous sandstone, mudflow breccia, and tuff, is overlain unconformably by the Breitenbush Tuff. The Breitenbush Tuff consists of three units of welded pumice-rich crystal-vitric ash-flow tuffs interbedded with tuffaceous sedimentary rocks. The Outerson Formation unconformably overlies the Breitenbush Tuff and consists primarily of basaltic lava and breccia. The Outerson Formation includes three localized members: a basal, glassy, aphanitic basalt, the Lake Leone Sediments, and the Outerson Tuff. The Outerson Formation is cut by a number of feeder dikes and plugs and is unconformably overlain by the Cheat Creek Sediments, composed of volcanic sedimentary rocks and a distinctive basaltic tuff. The Western Cascade formations total more than 1660 m {5500 ft) of strata and range from Oligocene to Pliocene in age. The High Cascade rocks are represented by two formations: the Triangulation Peak Volcanics of basalt and andesite lava and breccia, lying unconformably atop the Cheat Creek Sediments; and unconformably beneath the Collowash Volcanics, a series of thin basaltic lava flows and breccias. The Western and High Cascade rocks are covered extensively by surficial deposits, primarily glacial drift. The High Cascade formations are at least 840 m (2800 ft) thick, ranging in age from Pliocene to Pliestocene. The Western Cascade rocks have been folded and faulted in the Breitenbush Hot Springs area, and form the eastern limb of the north-trending Breitenbush Anticline. The folded rocks and the erosional unconformities between the rock units probably represent two local episodes of orogeny: one in early to middle Miocene and another in late Pliocene to Pleistocene time. The Outerson Formation represents a depositional sequence between the periods of uplift and deformation. Faulting accompanied the orogenic sequences. The primary volcanic landforms in the area have been destroyed by erosion but skeletal remains of High Cascade volcanoes are recognized. Stream erosion and glaciation are responsible for the present landforms. Breitenbush Hot Springs occurs, in part, along basaltic dikes which channel the water through impermeable Breitenbush Tuff. The dikes are believed to be associated with the Outerson basalts. The Hot Springs discharge upwards at 3400 l/min. (900 gpm) of water at temperatures up to 92°C (198°F). Title: Geology of the Breitenbush Hot Springs area, Cascade Range, Oregon Author: Clayton, Clifford Michael Year: 1976 The Breitenbush Hot Springs area lies on the boundary of folded middle to late Tertiary Western Cascade rocks and younger High Cascade rocks. Within the mapped area the Western Cascade rocks are represented by four formations. The Detroit Beds, a sequence of interstratified tuffaceous sandstone, mudflow breccia, and tuff, is overlain unconformably by the Breitenbush Tuff. The Breitenbush Tuff consists of three units of welded pumice-rich crystal-vitric ash-flow tuffs interbedded with tuffaceous sedimentary rocks. The Outerson Formation unconformably overlies the Breitenbush Tuff and consists primarily of basaltic lava and breccia. The Outerson Formation includes three localized members: a basal, glassy, aphanitic basalt, the Lake Leone Sediments, and the Outerson Tuff. The Outerson Formation is cut by a number of feeder dikes and plugs and is unconformably overlain by the Cheat Creek Sediments, composed of volcanic sedimentary rocks and a distinctive basaltic tuff. The Western Cascade formations total more than 1660 m {5500 ft) of strata and range from Oligocene to Pliocene in age. The High Cascade rocks are represented by two formations: the Triangulation Peak Volcanics of basalt and andesite lava and breccia, lying unconformably atop the Cheat Creek Sediments; and unconformably beneath the Collowash Volcanics, a series of thin basaltic lava flows and breccias. The Western and High Cascade rocks are covered extensively by surficial deposits, primarily glacial drift. The High Cascade formations are at least 840 m (2800 ft) thick, ranging in age from Pliocene to Pliestocene. The Western Cascade rocks have been folded and faulted in the Breitenbush Hot Springs area, and form the eastern limb of the north-trending Breitenbush Anticline. The folded rocks and the erosional unconformities between the rock units probably represent two local episodes of orogeny: one in early to middle Miocene and another in late Pliocene to Pleistocene time. The Outerson Formation represents a depositional sequence between the periods of uplift and deformation. Faulting accompanied the orogenic sequences. The primary volcanic landforms in the area have been destroyed by erosion but skeletal remains of High Cascade volcanoes are recognized. Stream erosion and glaciation are responsible for the present landforms. Breitenbush Hot Springs occurs, in part, along basaltic dikes which channel the water through impermeable Breitenbush Tuff. The dikes are believed to be associated with the Outerson basalts. The Hot Springs discharge upwards at 3400 l/min. (900 gpm) of water at temperatures up to 92°C (198°F). Close

• 8. [Article] Spatial and Temporal Variability of Glacier Melt in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

  In the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land, East Antarctica, melting of glacial ice is the primary source of water to streams, lakes, and associated ecosystems. To better understand meltwater production, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Spatial and Temporal Variability of Glacier Melt in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica Author: Hoffman, Matthew James Year: 2011 In the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land, East Antarctica, melting of glacial ice is the primary source of water to streams, lakes, and associated ecosystems. To better understand meltwater production, three hypotheses are tested: 1) that small changes in the surface energy balance on these glaciers will result in large changes in melt, 2) that subsurface melt does not contribute significantly to runoff, and 3) that melt from 25-m high terminal cliffs is the dominant source of baseflow during cold periods. These hypotheses were investigated using a surface energy balance model applied to the glaciers of Taylor Valley using 14 years of meteorological data and calibrated to ablation measurements. Inclusion of transmission of solar radiation into the ice through a source term in a one-dimensional heat transfer equation was necessary to accurately model summer ablation and ice temperatures. Results showed good correspondence between calculated and measured ablation and ice temperatures over the 14 years using both daily and hourly time steps, but an hourly time step allowed resolution of short duration melt events and melt within the upper 15 cm of the ice. Resolution of short duration melt events was not important for properly resolving seasonal ablation totals. Across the smooth surfaces of the glaciers, ablation was dominated by sublimation and melting was rare. Above freezing air temperatures did not necessarily result in melt, and low wind speed was important for melt initiation. According to the model, subsurface melt between 5 and 15 cm depth was extensive and lasted for up to six weeks in some summers. The model was better able to predict ablation if some subsurface melt was assumed to drain, lowering ice density, consistent with observations of a low density weathering crust that forms over the course of the summer on Dry Valley glaciers. In extreme summers, drainage of subsurface melt may have contributed up to half of the observed surface lowering through reduction of ice density and possibly through collapse of highly weathered ice. When applied spatially, the model successfully predicted proglacial streamflow at seasonal and daily time scales. This was despite omitting a routing scheme, and instead assuming that all melt generated exits the glacier on the same day, suggesting refreezing is not substantial. Including subsurface melt as runoff improved predictions of runoff volume and timing, particularly for the recession of large flood peaks. Because overland flow was rarely observed over much of these glaciers, these model results suggest that runoff may be predominantly transported beneath the surface in a partially melted permeable layer of weathered ice. According to the model, topographic basins, particularly the low albedo basin floors, played a prominent role in runoff production. Smooth glacier surfaces exhibited low melt rates, but were important during high melt conditions due to their large surface area. Estimated runoff contributions from cliffs and cryoconite holes was somewhat smaller than suggested in previous studies. Spatial and temporal variability in albedo due to snow and debris played a dominant role in flow variations between streams and seasons. In general, the model supported the existing assumption that snowmelt is insignificant, but in extreme melt years snowmelt in the accumulation area may contribute significantly to runoff in some locations. Title: Spatial and Temporal Variability of Glacier Melt in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica Author: Hoffman, Matthew James Year: 2011 In the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Victoria Land, East Antarctica, melting of glacial ice is the primary source of water to streams, lakes, and associated ecosystems. To better understand meltwater production, three hypotheses are tested: 1) that small changes in the surface energy balance on these glaciers will result in large changes in melt, 2) that subsurface melt does not contribute significantly to runoff, and 3) that melt from 25-m high terminal cliffs is the dominant source of baseflow during cold periods. These hypotheses were investigated using a surface energy balance model applied to the glaciers of Taylor Valley using 14 years of meteorological data and calibrated to ablation measurements. Inclusion of transmission of solar radiation into the ice through a source term in a one-dimensional heat transfer equation was necessary to accurately model summer ablation and ice temperatures. Results showed good correspondence between calculated and measured ablation and ice temperatures over the 14 years using both daily and hourly time steps, but an hourly time step allowed resolution of short duration melt events and melt within the upper 15 cm of the ice. Resolution of short duration melt events was not important for properly resolving seasonal ablation totals. Across the smooth surfaces of the glaciers, ablation was dominated by sublimation and melting was rare. Above freezing air temperatures did not necessarily result in melt, and low wind speed was important for melt initiation. According to the model, subsurface melt between 5 and 15 cm depth was extensive and lasted for up to six weeks in some summers. The model was better able to predict ablation if some subsurface melt was assumed to drain, lowering ice density, consistent with observations of a low density weathering crust that forms over the course of the summer on Dry Valley glaciers. In extreme summers, drainage of subsurface melt may have contributed up to half of the observed surface lowering through reduction of ice density and possibly through collapse of highly weathered ice. When applied spatially, the model successfully predicted proglacial streamflow at seasonal and daily time scales. This was despite omitting a routing scheme, and instead assuming that all melt generated exits the glacier on the same day, suggesting refreezing is not substantial. Including subsurface melt as runoff improved predictions of runoff volume and timing, particularly for the recession of large flood peaks. Because overland flow was rarely observed over much of these glaciers, these model results suggest that runoff may be predominantly transported beneath the surface in a partially melted permeable layer of weathered ice. According to the model, topographic basins, particularly the low albedo basin floors, played a prominent role in runoff production. Smooth glacier surfaces exhibited low melt rates, but were important during high melt conditions due to their large surface area. Estimated runoff contributions from cliffs and cryoconite holes was somewhat smaller than suggested in previous studies. Spatial and temporal variability in albedo due to snow and debris played a dominant role in flow variations between streams and seasons. In general, the model supported the existing assumption that snowmelt is insignificant, but in extreme melt years snowmelt in the accumulation area may contribute significantly to runoff in some locations. Close