Through the Generations: Geologic and Anthropogenic Field Excursions in the Rocky Mountains from Modern to Ancient
The tradition of Rocky Mountain geology remains strong at all scales, spatially and temporally. This volume fosters that tradition with its collection of peer-reviewed papers associated with the 2010 GSA Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado. Spatially, this volume discusses theories of continental mountain building events in tandem with microscopic observations and parts per billion trace element concentrations. Temporally, the volume covers geologic history from the Precambrian to modern issues of climate change and energy, groundwater contamination, geologic hazards, and landscape evolution. Many of the trips propose new interpretations of famous geologic ideas and environs such as Laramide deformation, the Colorado Mineral Belt, the Lewis and Clark Line, the Chalk Cliffs, and Garden of the Gods.
Chalk Creek Valley: Colorado’s natural debris-flow laboratory
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Published:January 01, 2010
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CiteCitation
Jeffrey A. Coe, Jason W. Kean, Scott W. McCoy, Dennis M. Staley, Thad A. Wasklewicz, 2010. "Chalk Creek Valley: Colorado’s natural debris-flow laboratory", Through the Generations: Geologic and Anthropogenic Field Excursions in the Rocky Mountains from Modern to Ancient, Lisa A. Morgan, Steven L. Quane
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Abstract
Recent debris flow studies in Colorado indicate that the state is most susceptible to debris flows that initiate from surface-water runoff that erodes and entrains hillslope and channel sediment. These runoff-initiated debris flows grow in size by entraining sediment along travel paths, thereby increasing their destructive potential. Yet, the mechanics of initiation, erosion, and entrainment processes for runoff-initiated debris flows are poorly understood. The steep, bedrock-dominated flanks of the formerly glaciated Chalk Creek Valley near Nathrop, Colorado, generate an average of two runoff-initiated debris flows per year, making the valley an ideal natural laboratory for debris-flow research. This two-day field trip to the Chalk Creek Valley will examine debris-flow initiation areas, transport zones, deposits, and the impact of large pulses of debris-flow sediment on the morphology of Chalk Creek. On the first day, participants will hike into a particularly active basin at Chalk Cliffs where debris flows are being monitored by the U.S. Geological Survey, the University of Colorado, and East Carolina University. The second day will focus on debris-flow deposits in Chalk Creek and on recent debris flows in and near the community of Alpine in the central part of the valley.
- Chaffee County Colorado
- Colorado
- debris flows
- erosion
- field trips
- fluvial features
- geologic hazards
- glaciated terrains
- guidebook
- mass movements
- natural hazards
- North America
- road log
- Rocky Mountains
- runoff
- sediment transport
- transport
- U. S. Rocky Mountains
- United States
- water erosion
- Nathrop Colorado
- Chalk Creek valley