DOCSLIB.ORG

Borah Peak Earthquake for WEB.Indd

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Borah Peak Earthquake for WEB.Indd United States Forest Intermountain Salmon-Challis Department Service Region National Forest of Agriculture Lost River Ranger District P.O. Box 507/716 W. Custer Mackay, Idaho 83251 The Day (208) 588-2224 At 8:06 a.m., Friday, October 28, 1983, an The Earth earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale rocked the West. It was the worst earthquake to hit Idaho in a century and the most severe in the Mountain West since 1959. Tragically, two children were killed in Challis, Idaho. With the epicenter near Challis, Idaho, BORAH PEAK, elevation 12,662 the earthquake toppled buildings, sent boulders crashing into homes, released new springs and geysers, and caused an estimated $12.5 million in damage in sparsely-populated Custer and Butte Counties. A scarp 21 miles long and up to 14 feet high near the base of Borah Peak is a haunting reminder of that day. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of pro- � gram information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center � � at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). MULTIPLE SCARPS � FAULT SCARP ACCESS ROAD To fi le a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Offi ce of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, � Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call BIRCH SPRINGS MUDFLOW (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 23.237.412.10/98 here is a great deformation called the Western Cordil- Region are “high Willow To Challis lera (principal mountain range of a continent) that runs angle dip slip faults” Hwy 93 from the southern tip of Chile to Alaska. The Lost River that have moved one Creek T Summit Range in Idaho, rising over 6,000 feet above the valley fl oor, or more times during is in the central portion of the Cordillera. The Idaho Batholith the past 10,000 years. T11N T11N T11N T10N Dickey Peak T10N T10N lies to the west and the Overthrust Belt to the east. The 1983 earthquake also 11141' The Lost River Range is a triple-ridge range. Borah Peak caused new springs and sand Thousand Springs Valley (12,662 feet) is in the central ridge and is the highest point cones to develop north and d in Idaho. Most of the rocks that outcrop in the range consist east of Chilly Buttes (west of a o Highway 93 R of lithifi ed ocean sediments, even to the top of Borah Peak. Highway 93 in Thousand Springs E s A g It is possible to collect bivalve shells and corals from many Valley). Sand cones are groundwa- R n i T r H p locations in the Lost River Range, including peaks more than ter eruptions that develop a cone or s Q e l U 12,000 feet above sea level. tubular orifi ce. The geyser brings sand R21E R22E b R22E R23E A u o K from the subsurface to form a low cone. D E The Lost River Range is composed of Paleozoic and Precam- Some of the new springs will be active for SC brian sedimentary rocks, complexly folded and thrust faulted several years. A R P during the Mesozoic Era. Much of the present topography of Earthquake the Lost River Range is probably from displacement from the In the 1970’s, geologists Visitors Site late Pliocene and Pleistocene Epochs. Over the last 5 million recognized that the existing T10N T10N T10N years there has been over 8,000 feet of displacement on the scarp at the foot of Borah T9N T9N T9N Lost River Fault, forming the Lost River Range and spectacu- Peak was as high and fresh as Borah Peak lar Borah Peak. any other along the 100-mile-long Lost River fault and might be the site of a future earthquake. Not only 12662' In the 1930’s, Dr. Richter developed a system that was useful did that earthquake occur, but the new scarp created by the in the State of California to recognize variations in the energy 1983 Borah Peak earthquake is identical to its predecessor. Birch Springs released during an earthquake. The system has been used in The scarp is now twice its former height and 21 miles long. the United States ever since. Each whole number is 10 times R21E R22E R22E R23E the energy release of the next smaller number; hence a Rich- The Lost River fault thus created two nearly identical earth- ter 5 earthquake has 10 times more energy than a Richter quakes during the past two ruptures at Thousand Springs 4 earthquake. A Richter 7 earthquake has 1,000 times more Valley. But are all ruptures of the fault at the Valley similar energy than a Richter 4 earthquake. to the 1983 event? Borah Peak now stands one and Chilly Buttes To Mackay one-half mile above the deepest deposits in the valley, Chilly Hwy 93 In 1983, a 7.3 earthquake formed a new rupture which fol- although they are composed of the same rock and once lowed an ancient scarp near the base of Borah Peak. The stood at the same level. If each earthquake increased the principal movement of the new rupture was up and down. The separation between Borah Peak and the Valley by six feet, then angle at the break is 60º to 80º and is called a “high angle a Borah Peak earthquake must have struck 1,500 times since dip slip fault.” Most of the active faults in the Intermountain the birth of the fault about fi ve million years ago..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Addressing Earthquake Strong Ground Motion Issues at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory
    ADDRESSING EARTHQUAKE STRONG GROUND MOTION ISSUES AT THE IDAHO NATIONAL ENGINEERING LABORATORY Ivan G. Wong Woodward-Clyde Consultants 500 12th Street, Suite 100 Oakland, CA 94607 Walter J. Silva and Cathy L. Stark Pacific Engineering and Analysis 138 Pomona Avenue ElCerrito, CA 94530 Suzette Jackson and Richard P. Smith Idaho National Engineering Laboratory EG&G Idaho, Inc. Idaho Falls, ID 8341S ABSTRACT In die course of reassessing seismic hazards at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL), several key issues have been raised concerning the effects of the earthquake source and site geology on potential strong ground motions that might be generated by a large earthquake. The design earthquake for the INEL is an approximate moment magnitude (Mw) 7 event that may occur on the southern portion of the Lemhi fault, a Basin and Range normal fault that is located on the northwestern boundary of the eastern Snake River Plain and the INEL, within 10 to 27 km of several major facilities. Because the locations of these facilities place them at close distances to a large earthquake and generally along strike of the causative fault, the effects of source rupture dynamics (e.g., directivity) could be critical in enhancing potential ground shaking at the INEL. An additional source issue that has been addressed is the value of stress drop to use in ground motion predictions. In terms of site geology, it has been questioned whether the interbedded volcanic stratigraphy beneath the ESRP and the INEL attenuates ground motions to a greater degree than a typical rock site in the western U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Custer County,Idaho
    114o1230 44o5200 114o4830 44o4830 Custer County, er iv R n Tcv o Idaho Tgs m l Qa a Kgd Tgs S Tcv k Ys r Ys o Qa F Tgdd le The map on this page has been reduced by 40% from dd Ys Mi Tcv Ys the map on the big page. So it is not to 1:500,000 scale. The scale bar was reduced with it though and should be Tgs Tcv Tcv Tcv close to correct. Kgd Qa Os Qm Kgd Qa Salmon Qa Ds Kgdh R. Mtns. Kgd Kgd Tcv Qs OCZ P A Qm H Kgd Challis Tcv S Pzl Kgdh Kgd OCZ IM E Os Qa Qa Qs RO PPPs Tcv Tgdd Tcv Ds Qs I Kgdh Cs V Pzl Tgs A L Kgd Qm Tcv DSs L OCs DSs E OCs Y Cs Ss Qa Tcv Kgdh Ss Tcv Ds Ybe Kis Sunbeam OCs Tcv o Tgs Qa Cs 44 2130 Kis Kgd OCs Ss Ds 115o1730 Kgdh Kgd PPPs Kgd Qs Kis Ms OCs Os Ts Qm 21 Ybe OCs PPPs Os 75 Os PzZm Kgdh OCs Ds Qs Ybe Qa River Kgd OCs DSs Kis Kis on Ms OCs Tcv Qs m Os OCs Ss Ts Os Qs Qg al Qa Sawtooth Rge. S 25 DSOs Ms Ss Tgs OCs Ss Ms Tcv Qs Stanley o Qg Tcv Ds 44 1400 Kgd Ps PPPs Os Kgdh Tcv Tcv 93 Ms Qs Tcv Ms PzZm Qm Ts Redfish SOs Borah PK. Tcv Kgd Lk. Qa (12,662 ft) Ds Ts DSOs Qs Qm Ds Qm Qm Qa SOs Leatherman Kgd Pk Tgs Chilly Lost River Rge.
    [Show full text]
  • Big Boulder Lakes Boulder-White Cloud Mountains Date Oct
    Big Boulder lakes Boulder-White Cloud Mountains Date Oct. 1-3, 2014 Time Location Big Boulder Lakes – Challis, ID Weather Clear & cold but very windy Fish Species Westslope Cutthroat, Grayling Size Range Potentially 18” or bigger Fish Caught 1 Westslope Cuthroat – The wind curtailed my fishing efforts and so I explored Flies Used Elk Hair Caddis, Pheasant Tail Nymph Techniques Dry fly, stripping nymphs Comments Some of the best scenery in Idaho! I cannot confirm the big fish stories. See additional photos of the Boulder-White Cloud Mountains: https://www.flickr.com/photos/120225686@N06/sets/72157648089810649 See trip video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5Xsska2XlU When I think of big fish in alpine lakes in Idaho – I think of the Big Boulder Lakes. I’ve seen photos and heard several reports that the fishing is excellent for big Cutthroat. Unfortunately, the relentless wind made the wind chill unbearable and I was relegated to bundling up and bagging a couple of peaks instead. But trust me – I have no regrets! The scenery is spectacular and possibly my favorite in Idaho. The Boulder-White Cloud Mountains are part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. The fight has continued for decades to designate the Boulder-White Clouds a Wilderness Area. I personally think it rivals the Sawtooths as my favorite backpacking destination in Idaho and I’ve set foot in most mountain ranges save a few in the panhandle. A view near the lower section of trail on the way to Walker Lake Itinerary Wednesday – Drive 4 hours from Boise; less than a mile hike to Jimmy Smith Lake; Backpack 6 to 7 miles to Walker Lake (camp).
    [Show full text]
  • Copper Basin Area Lakes
    Date Early September Time All Day Location Copper Basin Area; Sun Valley, ID Weather Clear Fish Species Golden, Cutthroat, RB, Grayling Size Range 10 – 16” Fish Caught Several Golden & Cutthroat Flies Used Mostly Elk Hair Caddis; Adams Techniques Dry Fly Comments More Golden Trout in beautiful country! Copper Basin is located between Sun Valley and Mackay. It separates the Pioneer and White Knob Mountain Ranges. It is a spot that many aren’t familiar with and offers great back country hiking, hunting and fishing. I saw Mountain Goat, Moose, Antelope, Deer, Elk bugling and my first Pine Marten. The area is a high Sage Brush flat surrounded by a mix of Pine and Aspen hills and Granite Peaks. I spent one night at Big Lake to the east of the basin and one night at Baptie Lake on the west side of the basin. I started out at noon and ended at noon on both trips which were both about 15 miles each. Lakes up Lake Creek drainage in the White Knob Mountains: Golden (Golden), Big (Cut, RB), Rough (Cut, RB), Long (RB), Round (Grayling). Lakes up Broad Canyon drainage in the Pioneer Mountains: Betty (Cut), Goat (Cut) & Baptie (Golden, Grayling) Copper Basin looking west toward the Pioneer Mountains I spent the first night at Big Lake which had some big hybrids. The trail to all five lakes is mechanized as well. I thought four-wheelers could only go part way up but you could drive to the lakes edge on four of them. That really surprised me after seeing the scenery.
    [Show full text]
  • Climbing America's
    batical leave in Scandinavia, I finally reached the 5895m summit of Africa’s high- est mountain. In 1986, the year after I climbed Kilimanjaro, Dick Bass, Frank Wells, and Rick Ridgeway published Seven Summits, an account of Bass and Wells’ attempt to climb the highest peak on each of the world’s seven continents. I bought their book and devoured it. Inspired by it, I devised my own climbing goal—to climb at least ‘Three-and-a-Half Summits’: namely, at least three of the six highest of the Seven Summits plus Australia’s Mt Kosciuszko, which is a mere 2228m above sea level (i.e., less than half the height of Antarctica’s Vinson Massif, the sixth-lowest of the Seven Summits), and Kosciuszko can therefore, as a Kiwi I quipped, really only be regarded as a half-summit. I made reasonably quick progress towards achieving my goal. In August 1994, I climbed Russia’s Mt Elbrus, 5642m, the highest mountain in Europe. In December the same year, I summited 6962m-high Cerro Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest mountain in South America (which I like to tell people is ‘the highest mountain in the world outside Asia,’ and then hope their geography is so weak that they don’t realise how huge an exclusion clause those two words, ‘outside Asia’, are). I then decided to have a crack at climbing Denali, and on 6 July 1997 stood proudly on the 6194m-high summit of North America’s high- est peak and held up a t-shirt from Victoria University (which is where I taught political science for many years).
    [Show full text]
  • Idaho – a Guide in Word and Picture Prepared by Federal Writers’ Projects
    The Federal Writers' Project was a part of the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression of the 1930s. One of the Project’s assignments was to produce descriptions of tours across Idaho. The text below is excerpted and edited from the description of Tour No. 4, which went from Blackfoot to Arco to Challis. One error is marked with an asterisk; one debatable claim is marked with “° ”. The description of Arco is a striking example of the writers’ craft. _________________________________________________ Idaho – a Guide in Word and Picture Prepared by Federal Writers’ Projects The Caxton Printers, Caldwell, Idaho, 1937 Copyright 1937 by Franklin Girard, Secretary of State of Idaho ____ TOUR NO.4 Blackfoot to Arco to the junction with U S 93, two miles south of Challis. 144m. State 27. Lost River Highway. The Oregon Short Line Railroad parallels this route between Blackfoot and Mackay. Salmon River Stages use the highway between Blackfoot and Challis. Accommodations throughout are less than average in hotels and tourist camps, and travelers who plan to spend some time in the region are wise to equip and provision themselves for an outdoor life. State 27 proceeds out of Blackfoot (R) into the northwest, and soon leaves the fertile Snake River Valley to enter that enormous desolation of volcanic outpourings of which the Craters of the Moon are only a very small part. The contrast can be felt more deeply if it is remem- bered that State 39, which branches (L) at 5 m., turns south to SPRINGFIELD 20 m., in the vicinity of which is produced almost half of the Grimm alfalfa seed grown in the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 3.6 Risk Assessment: Earthquake
    CHAPTER 3.6 RISK ASSESSMENT: EARTHQUAKE 3.6 Risk Assessment: Earthquake Description The location of an earthquake is commonly described by its focal depth and the geographic position of its epicenter. The focal depth of an earthquake is the depth from the Earth’s surface to the region where an earthquake’s energy originates, also called the focus or hypocenter. The epicenter of an earthquake is the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the hypocenter (Shedlock and Pakiser 1997). Earthquakes usually occur Figure 3.6.A. Earthquake Damage to the Custer Hotel in Mackay, 1983 without warning and their effects can impact areas of great distance from the epicenter (FEMA 2001). Idaho’s earthquakes result from three causes: • Plate Tectonics • Crustal Stretching • Hotspot/Volcanic Activity The surface of the earth (the crust) is made up of large masses, referred to as tectonic plates. Many of the world’s Source: Idaho Geological Survey 2009 earthquakes result from forces along the margins of these tectonic plates. These earthquakes occur when pressure resulting from these forces is released in a sudden burst of motion. Such earthquakes are produced in coastal California, Oregon, and Washington. The largest of these distant events may be felt in Idaho. However, most earthquakes in Idaho have origins (the epicenter) far from plate boundaries. Much of the earth’s crust in southern and central Idaho has undergone tremendous stretching, resulting in parallel, linear mountains and valleys. This region is called the Basin and Range and extends into the adjoining States of Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and Nevada. Basin and Range stretching is continuing today.
    [Show full text]
  • Distribution and Migration of the Black Rosy Finch
    18 Vol. 61 DISTRIBUTION AND MIGRATION OF THE BLACK ROSY FINCH By NORMAN R. FRENCH Since 1951, the alpine habitat of the Black Rosy Finch (Leucosticte tephroc&s atvutu) has been visited in many mountain ranges for the purpose of determining the breeding range of this species.The distribution of this specieshas long been uncertain. Available information is scattered and some of it remains unpublished in the form of museum specimens. This report adds new findings and summarizes existing data on distribution. Part of the work was conducted with sponsorship of the Jackson Hole Biological Station. Support from the New York Zoological Society and from the Frank M. Chap- man Memorial Fund made much of this effort possible. Jean B. French aided in all phases of the investigation. William H. Behle gave freely of his time and advice and was extremely helpful and cooperative at all times. Specimenscollected during this study have been added to the collection of the University of Utah Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (VU). I am indebted also to the following persons who furnished information or specimens from collections which were used in connection with this report: Lang Bailey, formerly with the Colorado Natural History Museum; R. M. de Schauensee, Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences; Herbert Friedmann, U. S. National Mu- seum; H. K. Gloyd, Chicago Academy of Sciences; C. M. Greenhalgh, Utah State Fish and Game Department; J. C. Greenway, Museum of Comparative Zoology; L. M. Huey, San Diego Natural History Museum; J. B. Hurley, Yakima, Washington; A. H. Miller, Museum of Vertebrate Zoology (MVZ) ; R.
    [Show full text]
  • Black Rosy-Finch Leucosticte Atrata
    Black Rosy-Finch Leucosticte atrata Aves — Passeriformes — Fringillidae CONSERVATION STATUS / CLASSIFICATION Rangewide: Apparently secure (G4) Statewide: Vulnerable (S3) ESA: No status USFS: Region 1: No status; Region 4: No status BLM: No status IDFG: Protected nongame BASIS FOR INCLUSION Lack of population estimates and trend data. TAXONOMY Despite some evidence of variation in bill size and shape between mountain ranges, no subspecies are currently recognized (Johnson 2002). Of the 3 species of rosy-finch that occur in North America (an additional 4 species also occur in Asia), the black rosy-finch is by far the darkest in color and in the middle position geographically between the gray- crowned rosy-finch (L. tephrocotis) to the north and west, and the brown-capped rosy- finch (L. australis) to the south and east. Hybridization between the black rosy-finch and 1 of the 6 subspecies of the gray-crowned rosy-finch (L. t. tephrocotis) was first discovered in the Bitterroot Range along the Montana-Idaho border (Mewaldt 1950), and subsequently in the Seven Devils Mountains (French 1959). DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE The black rosy-finch is found breeding above treeline in suitable habitat from central Idaho and west-central Montana southward through southeastern Oregon, northern and eastern Nevada to southern Utah and western and north-central Wyoming (Johnson 2002). Winter range for this species includes its breeding range, either on alpine tundra and open slopes just below treeline when snow levels are high, or lower in intermountain valleys and east slopes of mountains when snow levels are lower and higher slopes are snowbound (Johnson 2002).
    [Show full text]
  • Recreation in Idaho: Campgrounds, Sites and Destinations
    U.S. Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Recreation in Idaho Campgrounds, Sites and Destinations Locations to Explore Four BLM district offices, 12 field offices and the Idaho State Office administer almost 12 million acres of public lands in Idaho. Please reference the colors and map throughout the booklet for specific regions of Idaho. You may also contact our offices with questions or more information. East-Central and Eastern Idaho Northern Idaho BLM IDAHO FALLS DISTRICT BLM COEUR D’ALENE DISTRICT 1405 Hollipark Drive | Idaho Falls, ID 83401 3815 Schreiber Way | Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 208-524-7500 208-769-5000 BLM Challis Field Office BLM Coeur d’Alene Field Office 721 East Main Avenue, Suite 8 3815 Schreiber Way | Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815 Challis, ID 83226 208-769-5000 208-879-6200 BLM Cottonwood Field Office BLM Pocatello Field Office 2 Butte Drive | Cottonwood, ID 83522 4350 Cliffs Drive | Pocatello, ID 83204 208-962-3245 208-478-6340 Southwestern Idaho BLM Salmon Field Office BLM BOISE DISTRICT 1206 S. Challis St. | Salmon, ID 83467 3948 Development Avenue | Boise, ID 83705 208-756-5400 208-384-3300 BLM Upper Snake Field Office BLM Bruneau Field Office 1405 Hollipark Dr. | Idaho Falls, ID 83401 3948 Development Ave. | Boise, ID 83705 208-524-7500 208-384-3300 South-Central Idaho BLM Four Rivers Field Office and the BLM TWIN FALLS DISTRICT Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey 2536 Kimberly Road | Twin Falls, ID 83301 National Conservation Area 208-735-2060 3948 Development Ave. | Boise, ID 83705 208-384-3300 BLM Burley Field Office 15 East 200 South | Burley, ID 83318 BLM Owyhee Field Office 208-677-6600 20 First Avenue West | Marsing, ID 83639 208-896-5912 BLM Jarbidge Field Office 2536 Kimberly Road | Twin Falls, ID 83301 208-735-2060 BLM Shoshone Field Office including the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve 400 West “F” Street | Shoshone, ID 83352 208-732-7200 Whitewater fun for the family on one of many Idaho rivers.
    [Show full text]
  • In Need of Protection: How Off-Road Vehicles and Snowmobiles Are Threatening the Forest Service’S Recommended Wilderness Areas
    In Need of Protection How Off‐Road Vehicles and Snowmobiles Are Threatening the Forest Service’s Recommended Wilderness Areas February 2011 In Need of Protection: How Off-Road Vehicles and Snowmobiles Are Threatening the Forest Service’s Recommended Wilderness Areas Copyright © 2011, Idaho Conservation League, Inc. All rights reserved. In Need of Protection: How Off-Road Vehicles and Snowmobiles Are Threatening the Forest Service’s Recommended Wilderness Areas Table of Contents Executive Summary......................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction.................................................................................................................................... 3 Travel Management Planning......................................................................................................... 7 Northern Region............................................................................................................................ 10 Idaho Panhandle National Forest.............................................................................................. 10 Clearwater National Forest........................................................................................................ 11 Nez Perce National Forest......................................................................................................... 12 Intermountain Region..................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 36 CFR Ch. II (7–1–10 Edition) § 294.29
    § 294.29 36 CFR Ch. II (7–1–10 Edition) (c) This subpart does not revoke, sus- Tribes and other agencies, or compli- pend, or modify any project or activity ance with applicable laws. decision made prior to October 16, 2008. (h) This subpart does not modify the (d) The provisions set forth in this unique relationship between the United subpart shall take precedence over any States and Indian Tribes that requires inconsistent land management plan the Federal Government to work with component. Land management plan federally recognized Indian Tribes gov- components that are not inconsistent ernment-to-government as provided for with this subpart will continue to pro- in treaties, laws or Executive orders. vide guidance for projects and activi- Nothing herein limits or modifies prior ties within Idaho Roadless Areas; as existing tribal rights, including those shall those related to protection of involving hunting, fishing, gathering, threatened and endangered species. and protection of cultural and spiritual This subpart does not compel the sites. amendment or revision of any land (i) If any provision of the rules in management plan. this subpart or its application to any (e) The prohibitions and permissions person or to certain circumstances is set forth in the subpart are not subject held invalid, the remainder of the regu- to reconsideration, revision, or rescis- lations in this subpart and their appli- sion in subsequent project decisions or cation remain in force. land and resource management plan amendments or revisions undertaken § 294.29 List of designated Idaho pursuant to 36 CFR part 219. Roadless Areas. (f) This subpart shall not apply to The acronyms used in the list are Forest Plan Special Areas within Idaho Wild Land Recreation (WLR), Roadless Areas.
    [Show full text]