Magnitude and Frequency of Lahars and Lahgr-Runout Flows in the Toutle-Cowlitz River System
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Magnitude and Frequency of Lahars and Lahgr-Runout Flows in the Toutle-Cowlitz River System U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PROFESSIONAL PAPER 1447-B SELECTED SERIES OF U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY PUBLICATIONS Periodicals Coal Investigations Maps are geologic maps on topographic or planimetric bases at various scales showing bedrock or surficial geol Earthquakes & Volcanoes (issued bimonthly). ogy, stratigraphy, and structural relations in certain coal-resource areas. Preliminary Determination of Epicenters (issued monthly). Oil and Gas Investigations Charts show stratigraphic information for certain oil and gas fields and other areas having petroleum potential. Technical Books and Reports Miscellaneous Field Studies Maps are multicolor or black-and- white maps on topographic or planimetric bases on quadrangle or ir Professional Papers are mainly comprehensive scientific reports of regular areas at various scales. 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Peck, Director Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Scott, Kevin M., 1935- Lahars and lahar-runout flows in the Toutle-Cowlitz River system, Mount St. Helens, Washington. (U.S. Geological Survey professional paper ; 1447-A- Includes bibliographies. Contents: [1] Origins, behavior, and sedimentology of lahars and lahar-runout flows in the Toutle-Cowlitz River system [2] Magnitude and frequency of lahars and lahar-runout flows in the Toutle-Cowlitz River system. Supt. of Docs, no.: I 19.16:1447-A-B 1. Lahars Washington (State) Toutle River Watershed. 2. Lahars Washington (State) Cowlitz River Watershed. 3. Sediments (Geology) Washington (State) Toutle River Watershed. 4. Sediments (Geology) Washington (State) Cowlitz River Watershed. I. Title. II. Series: Geological Survey professional paper ; 1447-A, etc. QE598.2.S38 1989 551.3 86-600198 For sale by the Books and Open-File Reports Section, U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Center, Box 25425, Denver, CO 80225 Any use of trade names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey. CONTENTS Page Abstract ........................................... Bl Magnitude of lahars Continued Introduction ....................................... 1 Measurements and estimates of velocity and discharge Bll Purpose, scope, and location of study ............... 1 Flow magnitudes for planning purposes ............. 15 Methods of study ................................ 2 The nature of lahar hazards ....................... 17 Acknowledgments ............................... 4 Recurrence intervals of lahars and lahar-runout flows ..... 17 Lahars and lahar-runout flows of pre-1980 eruptive stages and Evidence of time grouping of lahars ................ 18 periods .......................................... 4 Character of the eruptive episodes ................. 19 Ape Canyon eruptive stage ....................... 4 Lake-breakout lahars of the Pine Creek eruptive period ... 19 Cougar eruptive stage ............................ 5 Evidence of lake-breakout origin ................... 20 Swift Creek eruptive stage ........................ 5 Comparison of magnitudes of lahar PC 1 and lahars of Spirit Lake eruptive stage ........................ 6 other origins ............................... 20 Smith Creek eruptive period ................... 6 Implications of lahar bulking factors ............ 21 Pine Creek eruptive period ..................... 8 Castle Creek eruptive period ................... 9 Megaclasts .................................. 21 Sugar Bowl eruptive period .................... 9 Natural dams at volcanoes ........................... 21 Kalama eruptive period ....................... 9 Lahar-margin lakes modern and ancient ............ 22 Goat Rocks eruptive period .................... 10 Comparison of lahar PC 1 with modeled flows ....... 23 Magnitude of lahars ................................