Long-Term Nisqually Glacier Changes Related To
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Outline for Thesis
THESIS APPROVAL The abstract and thesis of Thomas H. Nylen for the Master of Science in Geology presented October 25, 2001, and accepted by the thesis committee and the department. COMMITTEE APPROVALS: _______________________________________ Andrew G. Fountain, Chair _______________________________________ Scott F. Burns _______________________________________ Christina L. Hulbe _______________________________________ Keith S. Hadley Representative of the Office of Graduate Studies DEPARTMENTAL APPROVAL: _______________________________________ Michael L. Cummings, Chair Department of Geology ABSTRACT An abstract of the thesis of Thomas H. Nylen for the Master of Science in Geology presented October 25, 2001. Title: Spatial and Temporal Variations of Glaciers (1913-1994) on Mt. Rainier and the Relation with Climate Databases have been constructed for the purpose of studying glacier changes at Mt. Rainier. Glacier cover on Mt. Rainier decreased 18.5% (112.3 km2 to 88.1 km2) between 1913 and 1971 at a rate of about -0.36 km2 a-1. The total area in 1994 was 87.4 km2, which equates to a rate of -0.03 km2 a-1 since 1971. Glaciers with southerly aspect lost significantly more area than those with a northerly aspect, 26.5% and 17.5% of the total area, respectively. Measured and estimated total volumes for Mt. Rainier glaciers also decreased. From 1913 to 1971 the total volume decreased 22.7% from 5.62 km3 to 4.34 km3 and from 1971 to 1994 decreased 3.1% to 4.21 km3. Nisqually Glacier shows three cycles of retreat and advance but an overall loss of 0.44 km2 since 1931. Cross-correlation with snowfall suggests about a decade response time for the glaciers. -
The Recession of Glaciers in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
THE RECESSION OF GLACIERS IN MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, WASHINGTON C. FRANK BROCKMAN Mount Rainier National Park FOREWORD One of the most outstanding features of interest in Mount Rainier National Park is the extensive glacier system which lies, almost entirely, upon the broad flanks of Mount Rainier, the summit of which is 14,408 feet above sea-level. This glacier system, numbering 28 glaciers and aggregating approximately 40-45 square miles of ice, is recognized as the most extensive single peak glacier system in continental United States.' Recession data taken annually over a period of years at the termini of six representative glaciers of varying type and size which are located on different sides of Mount Rainier are indicative of the rela- tive rate of retreat of the entire glacier system here. At the present time the glaciers included in this study are retreating at an average rate of from 22.1 to 70.4 feet per year.2 HISTORY OF INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED ON THE GLACIERS OF MOUNT RAINIER Previous to 1900 glacial investigation in this area was combined with general geological reconnaissance surveys on the part of the United States Geological Survey. Thus, the activities of S. F. Em- mons and A. D. Wilson, of the Fortieth Parallel Corps, under Clarence King, was productive of a brief publication dealing in part with the glaciers of Mount Rainier.3 Twenty-six years later, in 1896, another United States Geological Survey party, which included Bailey Willis, I. C. Russell, and George Otis Smith, made additional SCircular of General Information, Mount Rainier National Park (U.S. -
The Road to Paradise Tour
Road to Paradise Experience the grandeur of Mount Rainier. Witness old-growth temperate rainforests, waterfalls, and impressive vistas. Whether you venture and sightsee by car, or choose to get outdoors and enjoy the many stops along the way, it's all pure Rainier. An excellent introduction to the beauty, majesty and mystique of Mt. Rainier National Park. Length: 83 miles | Driving Time: 2 1/2 hours (allow extra time for stops) Open Season: The entire loop is usually drivable and snow-free by mid-June and remains open through late October. The road between Ashford and Paradise remains open year-round. Driving Directions: From Ashford, travel east on State Route (SR) 706, six miles to the entrance of Mt. Rainier National Park. Continue into the park on Paradise Road and travel 17 miles to Paradise where the road becomes Paradise Valley Road. Travel 2.6 miles on Paradise Valley Road to Stevens Canyon Road. Turn left on Stevens Canyon Road and travel south 18.8 miles to Highway 123, Cayuse Pass. Turn right on Highway 123 and travel 5.5 miles to US Highway 12. Turn right on Highway 12 and travel 7.3 miles to Skate Creek Rd. Turn right on Skate Creek Rd. and travel 23 miles to SR 706. Turn left on SR 706 and travel 2.4 miles to Ashford. 2010 Visit Rainier | [email protected] | www.VisitRainier.com Road to Paradise Start: Ashford Begin this mountain adventure in the mountain community of Ashford located on State Route 706. A basecamp for recreation at Mt. Rainier, restaurants, car services, lodging, and campgrounds are available. -
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK \ //c^^^ Mount Rainier NATIONAL PARK WASHINGTON Medical Service 18 OPEN ALL YEAR Gasoline Service 18 What To Wear 18 Contents Trails 18 "The Mountain" 6 Fishing 20 Wealth of Gorgeous Flowers 8 Mount Rainier Summit Climb 20 The Forests 10 Accommodations and Expenses .... 21 How To Reach the Park 12 Ohanapecosh Hot Springs 23 Administration 14 Horseback Trips and Guide Service ... 24 Free Public Campgrounds 15 Transportation 24 Post Offices 18 Principal Points of Interest 26 Communication and Express Service ... 18 References 30 Events OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE I792 May 8. Capt. George Vancouver, of the Royal British Navy, first white 1899 March 2. Mount Rainier National Park established by act of Congress. man to record sight of "The Mountain"; named it Mount Rainier in honor of his friend Admiral Peter Rainier. I909 Regular (horse-drawn) stage service was started between Ashford and Longmire. I°33 September 2. Dr. William Eraser Tolmie entered northwest corner of what is now the park. First white man to penetrate this region. 1911 October 8. President Taft visited the park. I057 July 16- Lt. A. V. Kautz, of the United States Army, and four companions I9I3 Government surveyors of the United States Geological Survey established made first attempt to scale Mount Rainier but did not reach summit. the elevation of Mount Rainier as 14,408 feet above sea level. 1870 August 17. Hazard Stevens and P. B. Van Trump, of Olympia, Wash., 1 made the first successful ascent of Mount Rainier via Gibraltar route. J93 March 24. Mather Memorial Parkway established. -
Mount Rainier, Washington Portland State University GEOG 592 Spring 2014
A Slow End: Tracking Glacier Loss on Mount Rainier, Washington Portland State University GEOG 592 Spring 2014 Jonathan Skloven-Gill and Marilyn Daum Seattle How to Calculate Glacier Length? Glacial ice is the largest reservoir of freshwater on Predicted Change in Mt. Rainier's Glaciers over Time Hydrology Flow Length Minimum Bounding Rectangle Length Tacoma Puyallup - White Applying NCAR's moderate A1B climate change scenario earth, and Mount Rainier is the most heavily glaci- generally shorter longer and closer match to other sources Olympia to Oerleman's model for glacier length change ated peak in the lower 48 states(1). We have heard Nisqually Centralia that climate change is shrinking glaciers, but what Mount Rainier Glaciers as of 2006 Percent remaining in 2050 Percent Remaining in 2099 Impacted Cities does this mean for Mt. Rainier's glaciers during the Washington Counties Pop per Cowlitz SQMile next 50 or 100 years? Specically, what is the risk >474 of losing the freshwater supply from Mt. Rainier's <24.5 Longview Watersheds Kilometers . 010 20 40 60 0% 0% glaciers? 0% 0% 0% 0% Why Mt. Rainier’s 45% 0% 0% Our investigation includes 3 approaches to analyz- 79% 12% 0% 78% Glaciers Matter 0% 0% 10% ing glacial recession. Using one of these, a signi- $ 60% 0% 0% 0% 0 1 2 3 4 24% cant relationship between glacier length and Correlation r=0.95, p-value=0.000 25% 76% 0% 0% Kilometers Projection: NAD 1927 UTM Zone 10 0% 0% 67% 0% 0% 0% 50% 0% 0% 0% long-term temperature changes, we present a plau- 0% 0% 0% 0% 55% 0% Fitted Line Plot 0% Hydrology Flow Length = - 235.3 + 0.9981 Bounding Rectangle Length 0% 75% 44% 0% sible future scenario based on moderate climate 75% 33% 0% 0% 0% 9000 0% S 820.842 70% R-Sq 90.2% 56% 0% (3) 8000 0% 0% 67% 0% change . -
Nisqually Glacial Velocity GSA2013
SURFICIAL ICE VELOCITIES OF THE LOWER NISQUALLY GLACIER AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO OUTBURST FLOOD HAZARDS AT MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES WALKUP, Laura C.1, BEASON, Scott R.1, KENNARD, Paul M.1 , OHLSCHLAGER, Justin G.2, and STIFTER, Anna C.1 (1) Mount Rainier National Park, 55210 238th Ave E, Ashford, WA 98304, [email protected], (2) Geology, Portland State University, 17 Cramer Hall, 1721 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201 I. ABSTRACT II. LOCATION III. BACKGROUND IV. HISTORIC OUTBURST FLOODS V. METHODS 592,000 593,000 594,000 595,000 596,000 597,000 598,000 Mount Rainier, Washington is the tallest of a number of glacier-clad The Nisqually Glacier has one of the longest histories of scientific examination of any glacier in the Pictured: Scott Beason Pictured: Paul Kennard and Laura German Pictured: Jeff Fortner and Paul Kennard Emmons Photo by: Paul Kennard Photo by: Laura Walkup Photo by: Laura Walkup Glacier United States, having been studied since the 1850s. Most historic studies on the Nisqually look at volcanic peaks within the Cascade Range. Standing at 4,392 m (14,411 ft) Columbia Columbia Bellingham A C Crest Crest Little Tahoma Glacier Tahoma mass balance, glacial extent, or surface elevation while few have examined glacial velocity. Past and having 25 major glaciers, it contains more glacial ice than any other Glacier Peak Disappointment 5 Washington Cleaver Spokane single peak in the continental United States. Glaciers are the headwaters of 5,189,000 Seattle 5,189,000 research indicates that the lower Nisqually glacier has displayed varied glacial velocities throughout Point Gibraltar its measurement history. -
Sluskin: Yakima Guide to Mount Rainier Columbia Magazine, Spring 1991: Vol
Sluskin: Yakima Guide to Mount Rainier Columbia Magazine, Spring 1991: Vol. 5, No. 1 By Michael F. Turek & Robert H. Keller Jr. THE SCENE STARTLED THEM. In the late summer of 1915 two federal rangers, Leonard Rosso and Arthur White, had hiked into Yakima Park on Mount Rainier and found about 30 Indians occupying an alpine meadow. According to Rosso and White, the band was "ek[e]ing out an existence in the manner of their kind before the coming of the white man." In other words, hunting. The Indians were members of the Yakima tribe, and they called the meadow Me~yah~ah Pah, Place of the Chief. The Yakimas had met there for generations to race horses, hunt, gather food and conduct ceremonies. Me~yah~ah Pah was a native summer encampment similar to southern camps on Klickitat or Pah To (Mount Adams). Above this alpine meadow Mount Rainier rose nearly another 10,000 feet to dominate the Puget Sound country skyline. Indians west and east of the Cascade range had given the mountain different names, but the most common one was Tahoma, or White Mountain - a Yakima word. The tribe's winter villages were located southeast of the peak. With the onset of summer and the melting of snow in the high meadows, the Yakimas, Klickitats and other Columbia Plateau tribes would return to Me~yah~ah Pah. Their hunters approached the montane parks through an ancient forest in the Ohanapecosh valley. At 4,500 feet the conifers began to thin and a lush green carpet appeared. -
Geologic Features and Processes
Mount Rainier National Park Geologic Resource Evaluation Report Geologic Features and Processes This section provides descriptions of the most prominent and distinctive geologic features and processes in Mount Rainier National Park. At present, the Cascade Province contains four The extreme height and massive character of the national parks and one volcanic monument: Mount volcano allows it to intercept moisture- laden westerly Rainier National Park (WA), North Cascades National winds from the Pacific and to receive abundant Park (WA), Crater Lake National Park (OR), Lassen snowfall that helps maintain glacial cover. For Volcanic National Park (CA) and Mount St. Helens example, during the winter of 1971- 1972, slightly Volcanic Monument (WA), managed by the U.S. more than 102 feet (31 m) of snow fell on the Forest Service. These parks, as well as other mountain, setting a world’s record at an official Cascade Mountain areas, contain world- class weather station (Kiver and Harris, 1999). Since the examples of volcanic and glacial features. The mid- 1800s, however, the glaciers have lost as much geologic features and processes in MORA are divided as 35 percent of their surface area. This trend is into the following sections: synchronous with glacier retreat recorded elsewhere around the world and reflects global warming trends Glacial Features and Glacier Processes from natural perturbations and human influences. Volcanic Features From 1900 to 1960, the Nisqually Glacier retreated Thermal Features and Ice Caves about 1 mile (1.6 km) upstream from the old highway Glacial Features and Glacier Processes bridge (Kiver and Harris, 1999). Paradise Ice Caves, once a major attraction for visitors, collapsed in the Glaciers are highly effective erosional agents, shaping fall of 1991 due to the effects of global warming. -
Glacier Change, Kinematic Waves, and Outburst Floods at Nisqually Glacier
Portland State University Glacier change, kinematic waves, and outburst floods at Nisqually Glacier, Mountain Rainier, Washington Data Analysis and Review By Jonathan Skloven‐Gill and Andrew G. Fountain, Department of Geology, Portland State University, Portland, OR Introduction Nisqually Glacier, on the southern flank of Washington’s Mount Rainier, has a long history of research and observations dating back to the mid‐19th century (Heliker et al 1984). The glacier has produced a number of outburst floods and has exhibited kinematic wave behavior leading to a surge‐like advance at the terminus. The termination of a kinematic wave may lead to dead ice because the glacier is in an over‐extended position. Nisqually has a well‐ documented period of dead ice in which the lower part of the glacier became stagnant. The National Park Service proposed that a relationship may exist between the presence of dead ice and the occurrence of outburst floods. Because of it’s extensive history of observations Nisqually Glacier was selected for study. If the relationship between kinematic waves, dead ice, and outburst floods can be established, it provides a possible predictive tool for the occurrence of outburst floods and an aid for landscape management in the Park. Observation History This report utilizes three different sets of time series data: surveys of glacier elevation, records of glacial floods and debris flows, and positions of the glacial terminus. Variations in glacier elevation provide evidence of kinematic waves. The record of floods and debris flows are used together to infer the occurrence of outburst floods from the glacier. Finally, the position of the glacier terminus is used to mark the effect of kinematic waves and provide the overall advance/retreat history of the glacier. -
Nisqually River Basin Plan Volume 1 - Basin Plan & DSEIS
PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT Nisqually River Basin Plan Volume 1 – Basin Plan & FSEIS January 2012 Basin Plan & DSEIS - PUBLICREVIEW DRAFT Plan Basin River Nisqually 1 Volume Contributors Nisqually River Basin Plan Nisqually River Basin Plan Contributors Pierce County Pat McCarthy Brian J. Ziegler, Director, Public Works and Utilities Harold Smelt, Surface Water Management Manager Dan Wrye, Water Quality/Watershed Services Manager Hans Hunger, CIP Program Manager Project Managers: Trish Byers, Senior Planner Roy Huberd, Senior Planner Randy Brake, Civil Engineer Publishing Coordinator: Tracie Esher Contributing Staff: Dennis Dixon Tony Fantello Rodney Gratzer David Grinstead Marsha Huebner Janine Redmond Lorin Reinelt Barbara Ann Smolko Brown and Caldwell Nisqually Indian Tribe Authors: Michael Milne Jeanette Dorner Nathan Foged Florian Leischner Tim Krause Jennifer Cutler Jennifer Belknap Williamson Sayre Hodgson Colleen Doten George Walter Technical Staff: ESA ADOLFSON Yonia Akini David Carlton Sherrie Chang Steven Kruger Ada Hamilton Robin Lee Michael Prett John Rundell Justin Twenter Patrick Weber Pierce County Public Works & Utilities Contributors-1 www.piercecountywa.org/water TABLE OF CONTENTS NISQUALLY RIVER BASIN PLAN NISQUALLY RIVER BASIN PLAN Executive Summary .................................................................. ES-1 ES.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................. ES-1 ES.2 GOALS and Objectives ....................................................................................................... -
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK 1919 Season from June 1 5 to September 15
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR FRANKLIN K. LANE. SECRETARY NATIONAL PARK SERVICC STEPHEN T. MATHER. DIRECTOR GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK 1919 Season from June 1 5 to September 15 WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1919 THE NATIONAL PAEKS AT A GLANCE. [Number, 18; total area, 10,739 square miles.] National parks in Area in Location. square Distinctive characteristics. order of creation. miles. Hot Springs. Middle Arkansas. li 46 hot springs possessing curative properties— 1S32 Many hotels and boarding houses—20 bath houses under public control. Yellowstone. Northwestern Wyo 3,348 More geysers than in all rest of world together— 1872 ming. Boiling springs—Mud volcanoes—Petrilied for ests—Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, re markable for gorgeous coloring—Large lakes— Many largo streams and waterfalls—Vast wil derness, great est wild bird and animal preserve in world—Exceptional trout fishing. Sequoia Middle eastern Cali 252 The Big Tree National Park—12,000 sequoia trees 1890 fornia. over 10 feet in diameter, some 25 to 30 feet in diameter—Towering mountain ranges—Start ling precipices—Cave of considerable size. Yosemitc Middle eastern Cali 1,125 Valley of world-famed beauty—Lofty cliffs—Ro 1890 fornia. mantic vistas—Many waterfalls of extraor dinary height—3 groves of big trees—High Sierra—Watcrwheel falls—Good trout fishing. NEW PARADISE INN, IN BEAUTIFUL PARADISE VALLEY. General Grant. Middle eastern Cali 4 Created to preserve the celebrated General Grant Note the wild flowers in the foreground. 1890 fornia. Tree. 35 feet in diameter—0 miles from Sequoia National Park. Mount Rainier. West central Wash 324 Largest accessible single peak glacier system—28 1899 ington. -
Pierce County Rivers Flood Hazard Management Plan Volume I 2-19
Volume I Pierce County Rivers Flood Hazard Management Plan Adopted February 19, 2013 Ordinance 2012-53s Pierce County County Pierce Hazard Rivers Flood Management Plan PIERCE COUNTY RIVERS FLOOD HAZARD MANAGEMENT PLAN February 2013 PIERCE COUNTY RIVERS FLOOD HAZARD MANAGEMENT PLAN PIERCE COUNTY RIVERS FLOOD HAZARD MANAGEMENT PLAN CONTRIBUTORS Pierce County Elected Officials Pat McCarthy Pierce County Executive Pierce County Council (2012) Dan Roach, District 1 Joyce McDonald, District 2 (Council Chair) Roger Bush, District 3 Timothy Farrell, District 4 Rick Talbert, District 5 Dick Muri, District 6 Stan Flemming, District 7 Pierce County Council (2013) Dan Roach, District 1 Joyce McDonald, District 2 (Council Chair) Jim McCune, District 3 Connie Ladenburg, District 4 Rick Talbert, District 5 Douglas Richardson, District 6 Stan Flemming, District 7 Brian J. Ziegler, Director Public Works and Utilities Flood Plan Advisory Committee The Flood Plan Advisory Committee consisted of 26 members representing cities, counties, tribes, state and federal agencies, business, environmental and agricultural interests, floodplain residents and citizens outside of the planning area. Bill Anderson, Citizens for a Healthy Bay Gail Clowers, Drainage District #10 Nell Batker, Tahoma Audubon Society Buzz Grant, Citizen, South Prairie Creek Jay Bennett, City of Pacific Justin Hall, Nisqually River Council Russ Blount, City of Fife Kathy Hatcher, Citizen, Nisqually River Robert Brenner, Port of Tacoma Marsha Huebner, Pierce County SWM Bryan Bowden, Mount Rainier