Event Title
Holocene record of glacier fluctuations on Mt. Baker, Washington USA
Description
We summarize our ongoing research to reconstruct the Holocene record of glacier fluctuations on Mt. Baker. We investigated ridges on the south flank of the mountain reported by others to represent terminal and lateral moraines that were constructed after 8850 14C yr BP, and we also studied the lateral moraines of Easton, Deming, and Coleman glaciers. Our results contradict the claim of extensive early Holocene advances on the south flank of the volcano since a tephra with an age of 8850 14C yr BP overlies these ridges. Neoglacial advances began as early as 5300 14C yr BP when Easton Glacier overran a forest. Additional radiocarbon ages obtained from detrital wood and stumps in growth position in the lateral moraines of Easton, Deming, and Coleman glaciers imply that these glaciers also advanced at ca. 1750-1600, 940, and 400 14C yr BP. Our evidence of glacier activity on Mt. Baker broadly accords with the record of Holocene glacier fluctuations in the Canadian Cordillera: Glaciers expanded from minimal extents during the early Holocene and achieved their maximum downvalley positions during the climactic advances of the Little Ice Age.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
8-3-2008 8:00 AM
Subject - LCSH
Glaciers--Washington (State)--Baker, Mount; Geology, Stratigraphic--Holocene; Paleoclimatology--Washington (State)--Baker, Mount
End Date
8-3-2008 5:00 PM
Session
Glacial Studies: Coast Mountains / Cascades
Genre/Form
abstracts (summaries)
Type
event
Geographic Coverage
Baker, Mount (Wash.)
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Keywords
Holocene, glacier, Mt. Baker
Holocene record of glacier fluctuations on Mt. Baker, Washington USA
We summarize our ongoing research to reconstruct the Holocene record of glacier fluctuations on Mt. Baker. We investigated ridges on the south flank of the mountain reported by others to represent terminal and lateral moraines that were constructed after 8850 14C yr BP, and we also studied the lateral moraines of Easton, Deming, and Coleman glaciers. Our results contradict the claim of extensive early Holocene advances on the south flank of the volcano since a tephra with an age of 8850 14C yr BP overlies these ridges. Neoglacial advances began as early as 5300 14C yr BP when Easton Glacier overran a forest. Additional radiocarbon ages obtained from detrital wood and stumps in growth position in the lateral moraines of Easton, Deming, and Coleman glaciers imply that these glaciers also advanced at ca. 1750-1600, 940, and 400 14C yr BP. Our evidence of glacier activity on Mt. Baker broadly accords with the record of Holocene glacier fluctuations in the Canadian Cordillera: Glaciers expanded from minimal extents during the early Holocene and achieved their maximum downvalley positions during the climactic advances of the Little Ice Age.