Geologic Publications for Mount Rainier

Glacier change, kinematic waves, and outburst floods at Nisqually Glacier, Mount Rainier, Washington: Data analysis and review

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Author(s): Jonathan Skloven-Gill, Andrew G. Fountain

Category: PUBLICATION
Document Type: Unpublished report
Publisher: Portland State University
Published Year: 2015
Volume:
Number:
Pages: 21
DOI Identifier:
ISBN Identifier:
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Abstract:
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 its 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.

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In Text Citation:
Skloven-Gill and Fountain (2015) or (Skloven-Gill and Fountain, 2015)

References Citation:
Skloven-Gill, J. and A.G. Fountain, 2015, Glacier change, kinematic waves, and outburst floods at Nisqually Glacier, Mount Rainier, Washington: Data analysis and review: Unpublished report, Portland State University, 21 p..