Open AccessGlacial isostatic adjustment directed incision of the Channeled Scabland by Ice Age megafloods
Author(s) -
Tamara Pico,
S. R. David,
Isaac J. Larsen,
Alan C. Mix,
Karin Lehnigk,
Michael P. Lamb
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.2109502119
Subject(s) - post glacial rebound , glacial period , deglaciation , geology , erosion , geomorphology , physical geography , ice sheet , crust , paleontology , geography
Significance The glacial Lake Missoula outburst floods are among the largest known floods on Earth. Dozens of these floods scoured the landscapes of eastern Washington during the last Ice Age, from 18 to 15.5 thousand years ago, forming what is known as the Channeled Scabland. We explored how changes in topography due to the solid Earth’s response to ice sheet loading and unloading influenced the history of megaflood routing over the Channeled Scabland. We found that deformation of Earth’s crust played an important role in directing the erosion of the Channeled Scabland.