Corfu Slide

Corfu Slide
The Corfu Slide as seen from above on the crest of the Saddle Mountains looking easterly.
The Corfu Slide as seen from above on the crest of the Saddle Mountains looking north along the western edge.

The Corfu Slide is a geological feature located on the north slope of the Saddle Mountains above Crab Creek near the Columbia river in eastern Washington. It consists of 24 separate slides that cover approximately 18-20 square kilometers (7 to 8 miles²)[1] and contains a volume of material of about 1 cubic kilometer.

Geologic History

Geologic evidence supports the view that the slide occurred 13,000 to 15,000 years ago as the result of undercutting which occurred during the Missoula Floods associated with the retreat of glaciers during the last ice age. Water flowing through the Channeled Scablands split into two streams just upstream of the Corfu Slide, with part flowing to the east to pass over the low end of the Saddle Mountains and part flowing westward to pass through Sentinel Gap in the Saddle Mountains. The force of the water diverted to the west impinged on the base of the Corfu Slide area, causing erosion. At least some of the slide occurred before the final Missoula Floods as the older landslide debris has been eroded and smoothed by water flow. [2][3]

Location

The best viewpoint for the landslide is from its top on the crest of the Saddle Mountains. However it is visible from a number of points, including a road which traverses the lower portions of the slide. [3]

Location Coordinates
Easterly portion of Saddle Mountains where Lower Crab Creek meets the mountains at the Corfu Slide. The slide runs toward the west from this point. 46°49′00″N 119°22′30″W / 46.8166667°N 119.375°W / 46.8166667; -119.375
Western boundary of Corfu Slide. 46°48′00″N 119°26′40″W / 46.8°N 119.44444°W / 46.8; -119.44444

References and comments

  1. ^ Thirteen (13) square kilometers per the Lewis reference. The most recent reference is quoted in the text here.
  2. ^ Lewis, S. W.; Baker, V. R. (1983). The Corfu landslide: Analog to giant landslides on Mars.. NASA. Washington Report of Planetary Geology Program, p 230 (SEE N84-23431 13-91). 
  3. ^ a b Bjornstad, Bruce (2006). On the Trail of the Ice Age Floods: A Geological Guide to the Mid-Columbia Basin. Keokee Books; Sand Point, Idaho. ISBN 978-1-879628-27-4. 




Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Saddle Mountains — The Saddle Mountains consists of an upfolded anticline ridge of basalt in Grant County of central Washington state. The ridge, reaching to 2,700 feet, terminates in the east south of Othello, Washington near the foot of the Drumheller Channels.… …   Wikipedia

  • Columbia River Gorge — For the Washington Oregon wine region, see Columbia Gorge AVA. Columbia River Gorge Protected Area L …   Wikipedia

  • Missoula Floods — Glacial Lake Columbia (west) and Glacial Lake Missoula (east) are shown south of Cordilleran Ice Sheet. The areas inundated in the Columbia and Missoula floods are shown in red …   Wikipedia

  • Columbia River Basalt Group — The Columbia River Basalt Group (including the Steen and Picture Gorge basalts) extends over portions of five states. The Columbia River Basalt Group is a large igneous province that lies across parts of the Western United States . It is found in …   Wikipedia

  • Glacial Lake Missoula — Wave cut strandlines cut into the slope at left in photo. These cuts record former high water lines, or shorelines. Gullies above the highway are the result of modern day erosion. (NPS Photo) …   Wikipedia

  • Channeled Scablands — Drumheller Channels The Channeled Scablands are a unique geological erosion feature in the U.S. state of Washington. They were created by the cataclysmic Missoula Floods that swept periodically across eastern Washington and down the Columbia… …   Wikipedia

  • Dry Falls — For Dry Falls in Macon County, NC, see Dry Falls (Macon County). Dry Falls During the Ice Age Floods, Dry Falls was under 300 feet (91 m) of water approaching at a speed of 65 miles per hour. Location Grant County, Washington, USA …   Wikipedia

  • Drumheller Channels National Natural Landmark — Drumheller Channels Drumheller Channels National Natural Landmark showcases the Drumheller Channels, which are the most significant example in the Columbia Plateau of basalt butte and basin channeled scablands. This National Natural Landmark is… …   Wikipedia

  • Moses Coulee — Three Devil s grade in Moses Coulee, Washington. The upper basalt is Roza Member, while the lower canyon exposes Frenchmen Springs Member basalt. Moses Coulee cuts into the Waterville plateau in Douglas County, Washington. It is to the west of… …   Wikipedia

  • Crab Creek — Coordinates: 46°48′55″N 119°55′19″W / 46.81528°N 119.92194°W / 46.81528; 119.92194 …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”