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Date Permissions Signed

2-2019

Date of Award

Winter 2019

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Department or Program Affiliation

Geology

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geology

First Advisor

Clark, Douglas H., 1961-

Second Advisor

Amos, Colin B.

Third Advisor

Farley, Kenneth A.

Fourth Advisor

Bierman, Paul R.

Abstract

Cosmogenic 3He analyses provide a tool to infer spatial variation of cirque-glacial bedrock erosion. 3He accumulates in bedrock exposed at the surface as a result of cosmic ray bombardment; the concentration of cosmogenic 3He increases with exposure time as well as proximity to the surface. The Twin Sisters range, North Cascades, WA is an ideal location to use cosmogenic 3He to infer cirque-glacial erosion depths and rates, due to the dunite bedrock and the detailed record of Holocene glaciation from the nearby Mount Baker. We used field mapping, lidar data and aerial imagery to identify bedrock fractures, glacial fluting, and terminal moraines to establish the maximum Holocene extent of the Sisters Glacier. We collected bedrock samples along glacial flow-line transects in the forefield of the Sisters Glacier, as well as several samples outside the limit of Holocene glaciation. Concentrations of cosmogenic 3He in all samples were calculated based on 3He/4He ratios found in shielded samples from a nearby quarry because standard crushing techniques did not remove mantle-sourced 3He from the samples, introducing a significant amount of uncertainty. Our analyses of forefield samples show decreasing exposure ages (10,500-0 yrs) and increasing depths of erosion (0.15-146 cm) with proximity to the modern glacier. The patterns in erosion rates are more difficult to discern due to larger uncertainties, but potentially show increasing rates of subglacial erosion (0.001-0.7 mm/yr) with proximity to the modern glacier. These rates are consistent with those proposed by previous studies; however, the relatively low and consistent erosion rates suggest that abrasion and/or small quarrying events (centimeters to decimeters) are the dominant mechanisms of erosion underneath the Sisters Glacier. This study helps to better understand how cirque glaciers shape mountain topography.

Type

Text

Keywords

glacier, north cascades, 3He, abrasion, plucking

Publisher

Western Washington University

OCLC Number

1090766823

Subject – LCSH

Dunite--Helium content--Washington (State)--Twin Sisters Range--Measurement; Cosmogenic nuclides--Washington (State)--Twin Sisters Range--Measurement; Glacial erosion--Washington (State)--Twin Sisters Range. Geology, Stratigraphic--Holocene; Gemorphology--Washington (State)--Twin Sisters Range

Geographic Coverage

Twin Sisters Range (Wash.)

Format

application/pdf

Genre/Form

masters theses

Language

English

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 thesis for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.

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