That's Gneiss! #93 ~ Nature would just as soon kill you
I love the unpredictability of nature. We humans think we have it figured out, and to some degree we can predict certain things. Take glacial outbursts, for example. We know that from time to time a large amount of water will suddenly burst forth from under or behind a glacier and rush downstream, carrying a jumble of debris along with it. The Glacial Lake Missoula floods that formed the channeled scablands of eastern Washington are an example of such an outburst on a very large scale. When an ice dam breaks and releases a large amount of water, it’s called a Jökulhlaup, which really is a delightful word.
Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈjœːkʏl̥øip]
Because we all know how to read Icelandic pronunciation guides…
I digress.
Last week at Mount Rainier there was a glacial outburst debris flow - not as big as a Jökulhlaup, but certainly very exciting!
The water flowing from the terminus of the South Tahoma Glacier suddenly changed direction, and a surge of water carried a significant debris flow down he mountain. The debris flowed some distance, and trails and roads are closed due to damage and the potential for further events.
(full map)
There are some great photos of the debris flow on the Mount Rainier Flickr site. Here are a few to show you how impressive this really is.
New cavern
Very close view of the new cavern at the terminus of the South Tahoma Glacier, which is the initiation point for the 2019 outburst flood and debris flow (Photo: NPS/Scott Beason)
Bulking zone downstream of incision
Looking downstream from incision into the “bulking” zone. Side banks of the channel have been widened and provided material for the debris flows (Photo: NPS/Scott Beason)
Debris flow mud line
One of the Mount Rainier Imminent Threats Technicians, Robby Jost, pointing to a mud line indicating the depth of the flow as it moved through the side channel leading to barrel curve. (Photo: NPS/Taylor Kenyon)
Can I get a job as an Imminent Threat Technician? I like that title.
It can be a bit difficult to picture what occurred during this outburst event, and even from the photos the scale is hard to comprehend. The bottom line - you would not want to be in the way of this debris flow, which probably happened over the course of just a few minutes. The flow deposited several feet of debris in some spots!
Tahoma Creek Trail conditions
View of the new conditions in the area of the old Tahoma Creek Trailhead. The debris flows deposited as much as 5 feet of debris behind some logs transported in the flow, and subsequently incised as much as 12 feet to create the channel seen on the left. (Photo: NPS/Taylor Kenyon)
If you would like to see the rest of the photos of the debris flow, you can do so here.
Fortunately nobody was injured during this event, but it could have gone a different way. The following warning should not be taken lightly, as nature doesn’t care who is in the was when it decides to have an outburst.
The park reminds all visitors to remain alert for changes in water levels and unusual sounds or shaking ground. In the event of rapidly rising water or a loud roaring sound coming from up valley, move quickly to higher ground at least 200 feet above the valley bottom.
That’s right folks - just skip 200 feet up the nearest hill for safety should you hear that rumbling sound from above!
You’ll be fine.
Debris flows aren’t the only thing that would just as soon kill you while you’re out enjoying nature. Bison would too, especially if you annoy them by trying to pet them!
Remember kids - DON’T.
As summer winds down, I hope you have safe and enjoyable adventures! Next week I’ll report back after our camping trip. Don’t worry - I won’t be petting any wildlife.
Cheers!
Tidbits
You may have difficult inlaws, but at least they aren’t trying to murder you with mushrooms!
Heinrich C. Berann - panoramic map painter extraordinaire (check out his National Park paintings and other works)
Favorite newsletter these days: the collected ahp
Making: I’m arting! A LOT. I have obtained more alcohol ink, photo paper, and even ceramic tiles. It was all I could do to tear myself away from playing around to write this newsletter today (note the late time of its arrival in your inbox).
Reading: Too busy arting! I plan to read more while we’re camping later this week.
Recently eaten: today at Costco there were a lot of samples that were not bad. One was horrific - Superfood Veggie Cakes. Disgusting! Mushy! Thank goodness there was a Tillamook cheese sample further along.
Video of the week
Good boy!
Question of the week
If you’d like to answer the weekly question, just hit reply. All answers will be kept anonymous.
What was your favorite book as a child?
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Last week I asked you to send along something you’ve seen recently that really amazed you, or that made you laugh out loud.
Yeah so it’s not new and I’ve seen it before and also I don’t watch much TV at all. But. ‘Bob’s Burgers’ on FOX is so full of word play the English geek in me tweeks out. Legitimately good messages but not just another Family show. Brilliant. Always been a fan of Lauren Bouchard who also made Home Movies which was woefully under appreciated but launched Bouchards career which has many high points. Highly recommend.
Have you heard the good news of the Ames Lettering Guide?
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Here’s a late answer to the question about webcomics…
Ugh because I had a busy week I completely forgot to send you my recommendations for webcomics which you very much need to keep your spirits buoyed or lifted or just anything above the sub-basement level where mine are also. Some are definitely webcomics, some are looser interpretations via illustration.
This feels appropriate https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ONh5lBKMU/
http://existentialcomics.com/ (also their twitter is quite good https://twitter.com/existentialcoms)
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