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The Association Upcoming Meetings:
10th
CAVEPS and Quaternary Extinction Symposium CANQUA June 5-8, 2005 2nd
International Congress
The Quaternary Times Directory of Quaternary Scientists 2005 Northeastern Friends of the Pleistocene meeting Quaternary-Related Journal Discounts Quaternary Job Opportunities Quaternary-Related Abstracts Quaternary-Related Links Society of American Archaeology Fellowship Announcement Search the AMQUA Site
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The Quaternary Times Friends of the Pleistocene Field Trips
Rocky Mountain Cell The Rocky Mountain Cell will be doing the "Red Gate to Blue Gate" (G.K. Gilbert's 1870's terms) tour of Boulder Mountain, Waterpocket Fold, the Fremont valley and vicinity. There will be an optional trip to the north (Hartnet and Cathedral valleys) the day after the field trip if there is enough interest. Topics: (1) Late-Wisconsin glacial moraines and drift on NE flank, Boulder Mtn. (2) Landslides off Boulder Mtn, Flat Top, and farther-north volcanic mesas, where some slides transform to debris avalanches; and down the Fremont valley and tributaries to great debris flows and thence to bouldery floods (analogous to cataclysmic avalanche-to-debris flows off Mount St. Helens volcano in 1980). (3) Whether diamicts of "Carcass Creek" (= Bull Lake) age, low on Boulder Mtn, are glacial drift˜(classic interpretation of RF Flint and CS Denny, 1958)˜or are they debris-avalanche deposits. (4) Similarly, are coarse-bouldery deposits of terraces extending far downstream in Fremont valley and tributaries outwash as traditionally supposed or debris flows and floods transformed from repeated wet debris avalanches. (5) Cosmogenic dating of some of these bouldery deposits from far upvalley to far downvalley. (6) Revisit and re-argue at least 2 topics and 1 site that GK Gilbert incorporated to his famous 1875 report on nearby Henry Mountains. (7) Possible auxiliary geomorphic topics (a) origin of some deeply incised meanders and (b) whether some "natural bridges" are genetic arches, but some "arches" genetic bridges. (8) Several examples of rock art and architecture from type region of Fremont Culture (Anasazi). (9) Summary of classic Permian through Miocene layered sedimentary rock stunningly displayed between Boulder Mtn and the Henry Mtns across Circle Cliffs anticline and Waterpocket Fold monocline. Co-leaders: Richard Waitt (USGS); Thure Cerling and Dave Marchetti (U. Utah); Lee Kreutzer and Adrienne Anderson (NPS). Contact: Richard Waitt; waitt@usgs.gov 1999 RM Cell Report The Rocky Mountain FOP trip was held in the Animas River valley of western Colorado and New Mexico on September 10-12. This valley, which extends from the high San Juan Mountains to the central San Juan Basin, was partly glaciated during several Pleistocene cold stages. Approximately 60 people gathered to look at Holocene ferricretes and fluvially redeposited tailings in the mineralized area near Silverton, an active rock glacier in the upper valley, end moraines and landslides in the foothills at Durango, and proglacial terraces from Durango to Farmington. The principal leaders, Mary Gillam (consultant) and Rob Blair (Fort Lewis College), were assisted very ably by Kirk Vincent, Winfield Wright and Doug Yager (all from the USGS), Chris Carroll and Bob Kirkham (Colorado Geological Survey), and Christian Stoddard (now studying at Idaho State University). Following FOP tradition, this trip involved some spirited debates, useful suggestions, and clever awards. A few guidebooks are available from Mary Gillam (gillam@rmii.com; 970-259-0966) for $20 each. Midwest CellSouth Fork Big Nemaha River, southeastern Nebraska June 2-4, 2000 The field trip will focus on late Quaternary landscape evolution in the South Fork Big Nemaha River valley, southeastern Nebraska. Recent studies in this area have established a detailed alluvial stratigraphic and paleobotanical record that spans the past 40,000 years. Although this record will be the showcase of the field trip, we will also examine outcrops of late Quaternary loess and Pre-Illinoian till. In addition, several archaeological sites will be visited. The Hiawatha Inn at Hiawatha, Kansas will serve as the conference headquarters. For additional information, contact: Dr. Rolfe Mandel, Dept. of Geography, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-2121 (tel.: 785-228-0571; fax: 785-228-0587; mandel@falcon.cc.ukans.edu) or Dr. Art Bettis, Dept. of Geology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, 319-335-1831 (art-bettis@uiowa.edu).
Pacific Northwest Cell Since the creation of Newberry National Volcanic Monument in 1990, a number of exciting discoveries and puzzles in geology and archaeology have come to light at Newberry Volcano in central Oregon. This large Quaternary volcano has been active for at least a million years, and its flanks and caldera have hosted numerous Holocene eruptions including the 1300-year-old Big Obsidian Flow. Among the recent developments at Newberry is the discovery of a large Holocene paleoflood, Holocene uplift of the caldera floor, human use and occupation throughout the Holocene including the oldest known dwelling in western North America, drowned lake terraces 60 feet below the surface of Paulina Lake, giant bubbles in obsidian flows, numerous silicic tephras and their stratigraphy, high temperatures in deep geothermal drill holes, inflated basaltic lavas, and mappable basaltic lavas and their stratigraphy. Much work is in progress, so new discoveries and ideas may be discussed. Trip leaders will be Larry Chitwood (USFS) and Bob Jensen (USFS) with co-leaders Bob Reynolds (COCC), Steve Kuehn (WSU), Tom Connolly (U of O), and Julie Donnelly-Nolan (USGS). A web site has been set up at http://www.geocities.com/pnw2000fop/ or e-mail pnw2000fop@yahoo.com to communicate details of the trip. Larry Chitwood, 61644 Daly Estates Dr., Bend, OR 97702; chitwood@ bendnet.com; 541-389-2373 1999 PNW Cell Report The 7th Annual Pacific Northwest Cell trip, "Geoarchaeology of the Portland Basin and the Columbia River Gorge," was very successful. Eighty participants enjoyed unseasonably warm and dry weather both days. The trip was held on September 18 and 19th, focusing on recent geological events and their effects on the Chinookan peoples who lived along the lower Columbia at historic contact. The late Holocene Bonneville Landslide held center stage through most of the discussions which focused on two mutually exclusive hypotheses: was there a catastrophic breach of the debris dam formed in the Columbia by the slide or not? Archaeological research over twenty years in the Portland Basin has failed to find convincing evidence for a major flood event. Recent geological research conducted as part of USGS Volcanic Hazards analysis suggests there is evidence for such an outburst along the Sandy River, east of Portland. Neither side convinced the other, but the debates were lively and informative! Guidebooks are available for $10 from Alex_Bourdeau@ r1.fws.gov Pacific CellNo trip is presently scheduled for 2000. 1999 Trip report This year’s trip to the Northern Quinn River and Alvord Valleys, Southeastern Oregon (September 24-26) was a great success in spite of dust storms on the Alvord playa that almost prevented the Friends from visiting Big Sand Gap, one the most spectacular and controversial stops on the trip. The trip was organized by: Charlie Narwold (Humboldt State University) and co-lead by David Lindberg (LACO Associates), Mark Hemphill-Haley (Woodward Clyde Consultants), and Marith Reheis (USGS). Approximately 100 Friends attended. The trip focused on the late Quaternary faulting and pluvial lake history of the northern Quinn River and Alvord Valleys. Bud Burke (Humboldt State University) received "the most deserving award" for his invaluable help in producing the guidebook and organizing the trip. This year’s trip will be remembered not only for the great geology, but some of the dustiest driving conditions, and perhaps the most inhospitable weather for the awards ceremony ever experienced by the Pacific Cell! Guidebooks are available for $26 a copy from: Bud Burke, Geology Department, Humboldt State University, Arcata CA, 95521. "FOP-Final gathering of the millennium" T-shirts are available from Charlie Narwold at: cfn1@axe. humboldt.edu Pictures from the trip are at: http://www.geology.cwu.edu/facstaff/meghan/alvord/alvord.html South-Central CellApril 14-16, 2000 North-central Texas The "Y2K Fieldtrip" for the South-Central Cell is sponsored by the Center for Environmental Archaeology and Department of Geography, University of North Texas. The trip will provide an overview of the Late Quaternary geology and geoarchaeology of the Upper Trinity River Basin, north-central Texas. The field stops will illustrate alluvial/eolian sedimentary environments and alluvial soils, and will include visits to the Aubrey Clovis site, the George King Dalton site, and several middle and late Holocene localities, where site formation environments will be discussed. Contact: Reid Ferring, PO Box 305279, University of North Texas, Denton TX 76203; fax: 940-369-7550; ferring@unt.edu Southeast CellOctober 21-22 (tentative) James River Basin, Lexington, Virginia Landscape evolution in the upper James River Basin. We will be examining landscape responses to incision by the Maury and James Rivers. Topics include: pediment/fan incision history, fluvial terrace chronosequences, intra-basin capture, abandoned meanders, and stream knickpoints. Contact: David Harbor, Geology Department, Washington and Lee University, Lexington VA 24450; 540-463-8871; fax: -8142; harbord@wlu.edu 1999 SE Cell Report The 1999 SEFOP meeting was held at Carter Caves State Resort Park, Kentucky, October 8-9. The field trip was in West Virginia along the Big Sandy River. The trip was a success despite neotropical downpour threatened to dampen spirits (and sleeping bags) of campers. People came from as far away as North Carolina, Illinois, and northern Pennsylvania. Friday night we had a social gathering, and listened to the field-trip presentation by Dave Cremeens. Saturday dawned wet but warm. The field trip consisted of three stops centered around the abandoned meanders of the Teays-age Big Sandy River in Wayne County, West Virginia. At these stops we viewed terrace straths with remnants of Tertiary (?) alluvium, a mid- to late-Pleistocene lacustrine terrace and Holocene fluvial terraces. Our last stop was a new road cut where many of the concepts discussed were highlighted. On Saturday night we enjoyed a banquet, and then sat back and listened to a presentation by Robert Maslowski, Archaeologist USACOE Huntington District; probably the leading expert on upper Ohio Valley Archaeology. On Sunday, the rains continued and no formal activities were planned, so folks enjoyed the geologic wonders of Carter Caves State Park.
Northeastern Cell "Regional Deglaciation and Post-Glacial Drainage History of Glacial Lake Hitchcock" hosted U. Mass. Dept. of Geosciences. First circular will be mailed in January. Announcements will also go out on relevant list-servers. Contact: Julie Brigham-Grette; 413-545-4840; fax: -1200; brigham-grette@geo.umass.edu 1999 Trip Report The 62nd Reunion of the NE Cell met in central Pennsylvania on May 22-23. About 40 people attended the trip, lead by Ben Marsh of Bucknell University. The trip focused on paleo-periglacial features and landscapes near the glacial margin, in central PA. We visited familiar periglacial features: sorted patterned ground, boulder fields, tors, debris fans and ancient fan fragments, dunes, loess, and shale chip colluvium; examined some periglacial features not previously seen on a FOP trip: ground ice scars, wind-transverse nivation welts, and associated thermokarst (?) features; and reviewed the relative positions of Pre-Wisconsin till bodies, outwash surfaces, stream derangements, and terraces. Copies of the guidebook and road log are available for $13, including postage, from Ben Marsh, Department of Geography, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837. |