Type of Submission
Poster
Keywords
Catastrophic flooding, glacial outburst flood, gorge formation, pothole, boulder bar, bedrock island, Mars
Abstract
Massie Creek Gorge is one of several small but impressive canyons in Greene County, Ohio that cut through a typically low-relief landscape. It displays spectacular dolomite cliffs (up to 20 m high), large rockfalls (up to 1800 m3), numerous large potholes (up to >5 m wide and >7 m high), a dry valley branching off the main channel with a resultant bedrock island (≈30,000 m2 in area) and two boulder bars on its lee side (the largest ≈13.5 m thick). Short, dry side canyons are cut to the same depth as the main drainage and sometimes contain potholes on their walls. Massie Creek Gorge’s geomorphological features, its location in relation to end moraines from the last glaciation episode, and regional surficial deposits and stratigraphy indicate the terminus of the glacial ice was directly above the proximal end of Massie Creek Gorge. Excepting some late-occurring rockfalls, sediment deposition, aggrading spring deposits, and the undersized river show Massie Creek Gorge is a relict landscape. Joint orientations correlate locally with gorge direction and perpendicular side-streams/crevices, and regionally with morphologically similar Clifton and Glen Helen Gorges. Previous studies concerning these two nearby gorges were analyzed along with work describing glacial history, processes, and features in southwestern Ohio.
Studies dealing with pothole types and formation were reviewed and applied to Massie Creek Gorge. The potholes, dry river channel, bedrock island, boulder bars and short but deep side canyons testify to very significant past flow conditions. Evidence suggests the gorge was cut by high-volume, sediment-laden outwash from ice lying in close proximity to the gorge, probably during a glacial outburst flood or rapid glacial melting and retreat. The scale of potholes and boulder bars found within the canyon support this model. The origin of this gorge may provide clues concerning the origin of other deep canyons located near significant end moraines.
Morphological features similar to those noted in this study are also seen on extraterrestrial landscapes, especially on Mars. Applying this proposed model for their origin may provide insight into past conditions and processes, and further this blooming field of extraterrestrial analysis.
Faculty Sponsor or Advisor’s Name
Dr. John H. Whitmore
Campus Venue
Stevens Student Center
Location
Cedarville, OH
Start Date
4-16-2014 11:00 AM
End Date
4-16-2014 2:00 PM
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Glacial Origin of Massie Creek Gorge, Greene County Ohio
Cedarville, OH
Massie Creek Gorge is one of several small but impressive canyons in Greene County, Ohio that cut through a typically low-relief landscape. It displays spectacular dolomite cliffs (up to 20 m high), large rockfalls (up to 1800 m3), numerous large potholes (up to >5 m wide and >7 m high), a dry valley branching off the main channel with a resultant bedrock island (≈30,000 m2 in area) and two boulder bars on its lee side (the largest ≈13.5 m thick). Short, dry side canyons are cut to the same depth as the main drainage and sometimes contain potholes on their walls. Massie Creek Gorge’s geomorphological features, its location in relation to end moraines from the last glaciation episode, and regional surficial deposits and stratigraphy indicate the terminus of the glacial ice was directly above the proximal end of Massie Creek Gorge. Excepting some late-occurring rockfalls, sediment deposition, aggrading spring deposits, and the undersized river show Massie Creek Gorge is a relict landscape. Joint orientations correlate locally with gorge direction and perpendicular side-streams/crevices, and regionally with morphologically similar Clifton and Glen Helen Gorges. Previous studies concerning these two nearby gorges were analyzed along with work describing glacial history, processes, and features in southwestern Ohio.
Studies dealing with pothole types and formation were reviewed and applied to Massie Creek Gorge. The potholes, dry river channel, bedrock island, boulder bars and short but deep side canyons testify to very significant past flow conditions. Evidence suggests the gorge was cut by high-volume, sediment-laden outwash from ice lying in close proximity to the gorge, probably during a glacial outburst flood or rapid glacial melting and retreat. The scale of potholes and boulder bars found within the canyon support this model. The origin of this gorge may provide clues concerning the origin of other deep canyons located near significant end moraines.
Morphological features similar to those noted in this study are also seen on extraterrestrial landscapes, especially on Mars. Applying this proposed model for their origin may provide insight into past conditions and processes, and further this blooming field of extraterrestrial analysis.
