Our Pale Blue Dot
Background The 4.5 billion-year-old Earth is the only known astronomical object to harbor life, giving rise to billions of species of stunning diversity, including ours, Homo sapiens. It has formed the backdrop of an estimated 110 billion human lives. At 13.1 septillion pounds and 25,000 miles in circumference, the third planet from the sun long formed the horizon of all human experience and knowledge (watch overview). Recent discoveries have revealed our home planet’s relative size and location in the universe: a pale blue dot within the Orion Spur, located 26,000 light-years from the center of the Milky Way Galaxy, one of 100,000 galaxies within the Laniakea Supercluster. Formation Early Earth is theorized to have formed alongside the other planets within a solar nebula, where a massive cloud of spinning, interstellar gas and dust contracted under its own gravity and flattened into a hot disk (watch visualization). The core of the disk became dense with lighter elements like hydrogen, eventually heating up and triggering nuclear fusion, forming the sun. Solar wind pushed lighter elements farther out into the system, while heavier metals like iron gathered into increasingly larger masses known as planetesimals in a process called accretion to form the Earth and other inner rocky planets. As the protoplanet grew, heat from the colliding material and radioactive decay differentiated Earth’s heavier iron-rich core from its lighter rocky mantle, giving rise to Earth’s magnetic field and long-term stability. Various models suggest Earth’s formation took tens of millions of years. Two billion years later, Earth changed dramatically when cyanobacteria, a microbe, evolved to generate energy from sunlight (i.e., photosynthesis) and release oxygen as a byproduct into the atmosphere during the Great Oxidation Event. Structure and Composition Earth is the densest planet in the solar system and the most massive of the four rocky terrestrials. Shaped into a sphere by gravity, Earth is flattened at its poles and bulges at its equator due to its roughly 1,000-mile-per-hour eastward spin (Jupiter spins 28 times faster). By analyzing seismic waves, researchers theorize that a solid, 9,800-degree Fahrenheit inner core is surrounded by an outer core of liquid iron and nickel—common elements that consolidate into solids at high pressures. Above the core, a slow-moving rocky mantle moves the crust’s tectonic plates, causing volcanoes and earthquakes (see overview). Earth’s spin combines with the core’s electrical conductivity and extreme heat to produce a magnetic field that protects its surface from damaging solar winds, cosmic rays, and deep space radiation. This so-called geodynamo process is expected to last for billions of years. Surface and Climate Situated within the solar system’s “Goldilocks zone,” Earth is the only planet with conditions able to sustain liquid surface water, key to the formation of life. Roughly 71% of its surface is water; the rest is land. An estimated 300 million planets in our galaxy are located in similar zones. The Earth’s five-layer atmosphere traps solar energy and maintains an average global surface temperature of 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Roughly 21% is oxygen, crucial for respiration but highly flammable. Nitrogen (78%) dilutes the oxygen and prevents rapid combustion. Seasons result from the Earth’s 23.4-degree tilt in relation to the orbital plane. Ice ages last millions of years and result from shifting climatic conditions—like ocean currents and the position of tectonic plates—that drop average temperatures by double digits. We live amid the fifth major ice age, though we are in the middle of a warmer interglacial period that began 11,000 years ago. Reprinted from 1440 Daily Digest
Melanie Bell Gibbs – Valuable Cheney-Spokane Chapter Volunteer
What would you say about a volunteer who has spent literally years advancing the mission of the Ice Age Floods Institute and still continues to do so, even in semi-retirement? You would have to say she is the prime example of the committed, capable, enthusiastic, and gifted volunteer every organization would like to have. When she moved to the Spokane area from Northeast Texas, a proud Texan became a determined and energetic citizen for the state of Washington–and eventually a valuable member of the Ice Age Floods Institute. She became a member of the Ice Age Floods Institute and Cheney-Spokane Chapter as early as 2005. Over the years she was active: Serving as Secretary, Treasurer, President of the Cheney-Spokane Chapter and currently serves as Past President. Recruiting Sponsors and Partners. Writing grants and was successful in funding production of brochures, booklets, flyers and providing for event exhibiting supplies. Partnering with Spokane Parks and Recreation to ensure the accuracy of the Ice Age Floods story in the Ice Age Floods Playground that opened in Riverfront Park in May 2021. Helping Science Coordinators understand the importance of Floods curriculum for Spokane School District. Assisting chapters organize the logistics of hosting conferences. Becoming a Lifetime Honorary Chapter Board Member in 2023. In January 2007, she became involved with the Ice Age Floods Institute’s Board of Directors when she was elected to the Board and became the Secretary. Over the years she: Developed Board Calendars, Board Directories, and Annual Meeting Planning Masters. Served as Treasurer. Implemented new Membership Management system. Continues on the Executive Committee and is Chair of the Revenue Generating Committee. Everyone who knows her agrees she is the quintessential volunteer and we are fortunate to have her.
Volunteer Profile – Sue Billings
How would you like to have on your team a volunteer who embodies the following qualities: Enthusiasm – Support – Upbeat Attitude – Availability to help – Creative Ideas – Encouragement The Ellensburg chapter has such a member in Sue Billings. She has been involved in several meetings and projects over the last years. And she is almost always available to help out when called upon. She and her husband, Tom Ring, live in the town of Selah—reflecting the wide spread area from which our members come. And she is able to do all this in addition to having a rich lifestyle in which they travel and stay involved in other projects. Thanks so much for your involvement and contributions, Sue. We really appreciate it. Mike Doran, President Ellensburg Chapter Ice Age Floods Institute
30 Years of IAFI’s Vision Helped Shape the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Ice Age Floods Institute (IAFI), a milestone that offers an opportunity to reflect on the Institute’s foundational role in bringing the story of the Ice Age floods to national prominence and in establishing the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail. Founded in 1995, IAFI emerged from a collective recognition of the need to educate the public about the cataclysmic floods that shaped the landscapes of Montana, Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. Through persistent advocacy, community engagement, and educational initiatives, IAFI laid the groundwork for what would become the nation’s first National Geologic Trail. The culmination of these efforts was the passage of Public Law 111-11 in 2009, which officially designated the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail. This achievement was the result of a bipartisan effort, with key support from U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and U.S. Representative Doc Hastings (R-WA), who were primary sponsors of the trail legislation. Other notable supporters included Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Larry Craig (R-ID), Patty Murray (D-WA), and Gordon Smith (R-OR). Their collective commitment underscored the shared value placed on preserving and interpreting this significant geologic history. A celebratory ribbon-cutting event was held on May 27, 2009, just after Congress passed the legislation. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell and U.S. Representative Doc Hastings were joined by Gary Kleinknecht, then-president of the Ice Age Floods Institute. The ribbon-cutting symbolized more than legislative success—it celebrated years of behind-the-scenes advocacy by IAFI leaders and members who worked tirelessly with elected officials to see the trail officially recognized. Since the trail’s designation, the partnership between IAFI and the National Park Service has been integral to the development and interpretation of the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail. Collaborative projects have included the creation of interpretive materials, the planning of educational programs, and the development of enhanced digital maps and content to guide visitors through the trail’s extensive network. These joint efforts have been essential in bringing the story of the Ice Age floods to a broader audience. Looking Ahead: Shared Leadership and Future Potential As the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail continues to develop, the professional relationship between the Trail’s current National Park Service program manager. Justin Radford, and IAFI’s president, Dr. Gary Ford, exemplifies a strong and effective partnership. Built on mutual respect and a shared commitment to public education and stewardship, our collaboration helps ensure that strategic goals are aligned, innovative educational resources are developed, and public engagement with the Ice Age Floods story continues to grow. This cooperative leadership reflects the enduring values that brought the Trail into existence and remains essential to its continued success. Plans are underway for expanded educational outreach and increased community engagement initiatives. These endeavors aim to deepen public understanding and appreciation of the Ice Age floods’ impact on the region’s geography, while strengthening the relationships that support the Trail’s future. As we celebrate IAFI’s 30-year milestone, we extend our deepest gratitude to IAFI’s members, volunteers, and supporters. Your dedication has been instrumental in transforming a vision into a tangible trail that educates and inspires countless visitors. Together, we look forward to continuing this journey of discovery and interpretation for years to come By Justin Radford, National Park Service – Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail Program Manager
Discover A Landscape Carved by Ancient Mega-Floods at Fish Lake Regional Park
Just a short drive east of Cheney, Washington, lies Fish Lake Regional Park, a beautiful 76-acre space offering more than just typical park amenities. This area, easily accessible with parking, play areas, hiking trails, and a swimming beach, tells a dramatic story of a landscape shaped by immense Ice Age floods. You’ll find a paved parking lot at the northeast edge of the park, right by the Fish Lake trailhead. From here, you can hop onto the Columbia Plateau State Park Trail and start your adventure! What makes Fish Lake truly unique is its geology. It’s a double plunge pool, a fascinating feature created by powerful, swirling currents during these ancient mega-floods. These paired, counter-rotating currents scoured out the lake basins, and during periods of low water, you can even spot a partial rock ridge, or rock blade, that divides the two pools. An even larger basalt rock blade separates Fish Lake from the nearby Minnie Creek rock channel and a wide, swampy area it drains into. The significance of Fish Lake isn’t lost on those who study these incredible floods. The local chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute (IAFI), now the Cheney-Spokane Chapter, has been exploring and educating about this area since 2004. Early field trips introduced members to the flood-formed features around Cheney and the Palouse region, with Fish Lake being a key example. Remarkably, even the pioneers of Ice Age Floods research, Joseph Pardee and J Harlen Bretz, visited the Fish Lake area over a century ago, recognizing the powerful forces at play. For those interested in learning more, a video explaining the formation of these scour lakes is available on the IAFI website under the Cheney-Spokane chapter. Geologically, Fish Lake sits on a fascinating junction. It was carved into a chemically weathered contact zone between very old metamorphic rock, dating back a staggering 1.47 billion years, and much younger basalt flows from the Columbia River Basalt Group, around 16 million years old. The lake’s eastward drainage into the Minnie Rock channel further illustrates the powerful erosive forces of the floods. Evidence even suggests the floodwaters in this area reached incredible heights, exceeding 2600 feet, as seen in a small scour lake near Prosser Hill. So, next time you’re looking for a park with natural beauty and a captivating history, consider visiting Fish Lake Regional Park. It’s a place where you can relax and play while standing in a landscape sculpted by one of Earth’s most dramatic events. Condensed from an article by Dr. Linda McCollum, President, Cheney-Spokane Chapter
Whispers from a Frozen Past: “We Have The Bones” – McBones Mammoth Dig
We know the story…a world gripped by ice. Some twenty thousand years ago, colossal glaciers sculpted the landscape, their icy fingers reaching down through the Idaho panhandle. They choked the ancient Clark Fork River, birthing a vast, temporary lake: Glacial Lake Missoula. Then, the inevitable happened. The icy dam buckled, unleashing unimaginable torrents of water that carved a dramatic path across the land in a series of cataclysmic floods. We see their scars today – stark strand lines etched into hillsides, the labyrinthine coulees, silent dry waterfalls, and the scattered, out-of-place “erratic” rocks, silent witnesses to a watery fury. But beyond the sheer power of these floods, a more profound question lingers: What life thrived in the shadow of this impending devastation? What world existed downstream of Glacial Lake Missoula in the fleeting calm before each deluge? The answer, astonishingly, is life. Vibrant and resilient, creatures roamed the landscape, unaware of the watery apocalypse that would soon reshape their world. And now, buried within the very sediments left by those colossal floods, echoes of this Ice Age existence are being unearthed. Just south of the Tri-Cities in Washington, a remarkable discovery is unfolding. Here, the bones of a 17,500-year-old Columbian mammoth are being meticulously excavated, offering a breathtaking glimpse into a time when ice dominated the north. Imagine this majestic creature, striding across a landscape soon to be ravaged by floodwaters, its final resting place a testament to the sheer scale of these geological events. Now a 17,500-year-old Columbian mammoth is being excavated just south of the Tri-Cities in Washington and visitors can tour the site. For many, a visit to this active dig site is within easy reach – a captivating day trip, a memorable overnight stay, or a fascinating detour along the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail. Stand on the very ground where this ancient giant lay buried, a staggering seven hundred feet above the present-day Columbia River, entombed in soil deposited by the very floods that shaped this region. The incredible work of unearthing these secrets is led by the dedicated nonprofit organization, MCBONES. At the Coyote Canyon Mammoth Site, they offer a unique opportunity to step back in time. For a modest $10 per person (sign up at www.mcbones.org), from April until mid-October the public can join guided tours of this active paleontological dig. Witness firsthand the careful process of uncovering these ancient relics and hear the compelling story of this mammoth’s burial, the clues it offers about the pre-flood environment, and the ongoing discoveries that are rewriting our understanding of this dramatic period. Every dollar from tour admissions, gift shop sales, and generous donations directly fuels this vital research, ensuring that these whispers from a frozen past continue to be heard.
Ice Age Floods in Western WA
The Mossback’s Northwest production team met in Thurston County last week to research some geological history. We learned that the Missoula Floods that scoured Eastern Washington weren’t the only massive, earth-shaping floods at the end of the last Ice Age some 15,000 years ago. The retreating Puget Lobe — the last ice sheet’s southern extension, which stopped just south of Olympia — sent massive flows south and west as it melted. But while retreating, the ice also blocked rivers flowing from Mount Rainier, like the Carbon and Puyallup. This created a series of glacial lakes which, when unblocked, periodically let loose with floods and debris flows, shaping the valleys and prairies of the region. We talked at length with geologist Patrick Pringle who has, with his research partner Barry Goldstein, studied this phenomenon. As a result of the floods, Pringle says, there is a lot of volcanic rock — from gravel to massive boulders — in the valleys of South Puget Sound that washed down from Tahoma. More on this is coming in Season 11 this fall. Reprinted from the Cascade PBS ‘The Mossback Den’ newsletter
2025 Columbia Gorge Naturalist Course
The Oregon Naturalist Program at Oregon State University is partnering with the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum to offer a Columbia Gorge Naturalist field course about the geology, plants, animals, habitats, social and natural history of the Columbia Gorge. An application is required, anyone can apply but priority is given to Columbia Gorge residents. This course is also part of the requirements to become a Certified Oregon Naturalist. Cost: $350.00 (reduced fee options are available) About the Course Learn about the geology, plants, animals, habitats, social and natural history of the Columbia Gorge. Connect with other beginner and expert naturalists in your area. Make an impact! Volunteer for nature-centered programs and organizations in the Gorge. Click HERE to Apply Application opens: February 9 Application deadline: March 9 Application decision: March 16 Course Dates: Introduction Session: April 6 – online over Zoom Session 1: April 13 – Sense of Place (Course Welcome at The Gorge Discovery Center) Session 2: April 27 – Rivers Session 3: May 18 – Oak Woodlands Session 4: June 1 – Grasslands Session 5: July 13 – Western Gorge Forests Session 6: August 17 – Mt. Adams Session 7: Date TBD – Capstone at the Gorge Discovery Center Dates are subject to change.
Where (and When) Will Yellowstone Erupt Next?
New research indicates it likely won’t blow today, but one region on Yellowstone’s northeastern side is likely to host liquid magma in the long term, possibly fueling future eruptions hundreds of thousands of years from now. Yellowstone’s melted magma lurks in four separate reservoirs within the crust of the caldera. The western reservoirs do not touch the deep mantle rocks that would heat them from below so they will likely start to cool and solidify. But to the northeast, mantle rocks are heating the magma trapped in the crust keeping them liquid and eruptable. Using measurements of earthquake waves and magnetotellurics (measurements of subterranean magma magnetic fields) researchers mapped four main hidden pockets of magma that together contain more liquid magma than was present during large, caldera-forming eruptions at Yellowstone in the past (2.8 MYA, 1.3 MYA and 640,000 years ago). These magma pockets rest as deep as about 6 or 7 miles below the surface, but only in the northeastern region of the caldera is the magma in touch with hot mantle rock that will keep the magma liquid in the long term. Despite the large volume of magma pooling below Yellowstone, the caldera isn’t likely to erupt anytime soon. The magma sits in pore spaces in solid rock, much like water in a sponge. The estimated fraction of magma filled pores is 20% or less, but only when more than 40% of pore spaces are filled can the magma link up, get mobile and start erupting. But that could change over tens of thousands of years as mantle rock warms the northeastern magma pools. Exactly how long that will take, or if it will happen before the mantle rocks in the northeastern region of Yellowstone lose contact with its magma reservoir, remains unknown. Condensed from a Live Science article by Stephanie Pappas
Gorge-ous Gathering – 2025 IAFI Membership Meeting
2025 IAFI Membership MeetingGorge-ous Gathering Celebrating the 30th anniversary of Ice Age Floods Institute The annual IAFI Membership Meeting is coming to the Columbia Gorge this May 2-4, 2025, and both members and the public are cordially invited to come enjoy some of the best and most interesting nature experiences the Gorge has to offer. Several of the events are already full but there are still opportunities to explore geology and winery field trips and enjoy an entertaining presentation by Nick Zenter of YouTube fame. Gorge-ous Gathering Event check-ins begin each day at 8:00 AM at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center Registrations are now closed to give us time for preparations Friday, May 2nd, Spring Wildflower Walk Prepare to be captivated as Barbara Robinson, a renowned native plants expert, leads you on a spectacular Wildflower Walk through Tom McCall Preserve on the Rowena Plateau. Located in the transition zone between the moist, heavily-forested west side of the Cascades and the drier bunch grass prairies of the east, the easy Plateau Trail immerses you in a vibrant tapestry of springtime wildflowers that cover grasslands full of arrowleaf balsamroot, lupine, bachelor’s button, and other spectacular wildflowers blooming at your feet. You’ll meander through breathtaking panoramas of the Columbia River Gorge unfolding before you, imagining the raw power of nature that created the enigmatic mound-and-swale topography and kolk pond landforms sculpted by ancient forces of volcanic eruptions and Ice Age floods that flowed 200 feet above your head. You’ll meet Barbara at the Rowena Crest parking circle at 10:00 AM, Friday. May 2nd (Google Maps link) for an unforgettable magical adventure on the Rowena Plateau. Remember to stay on marked trails, dress for probable strong winds, avoid poison oak, and that dogs are not permitted. Friday, May 2nd, Embark on a Vineyard/Winery “Journey Through Terroir” Experience the magic of the Columbia Gorge Wine Region with renowned soil scientist and vineyard consultant, Alan Busacca. This exclusive bus tour takes you deep into the heart of this unique region, where dramatic landscapes and diverse microclimates create wines of extraordinary character. You’ll visit stunning vineyards, sample award-winning wines, and uncover the fascinating science behind their unique flavors. Learn how terroir – diverse soils, extreme rainfall gradients, temperature, elevation and aspect – all contribute to the distinctive taste of each wine. From lush, forested hillsides to sun-drenched high-desert slopes, this is your chance to experience the incredible diversity of this “World of Wine in Forty Miles.” and taste the sensory adventure of the Columbia Gorge firsthand. May 2nd, 9:30AM-4:00PM, bus loads at 9:30AM. Click here for the itinerary and route map details Friday, May 2nd, Unveiling the Gorge field trip The walls of the Columbia Gorge expose layer upon layer of similar appearing Columbia River Basalt. But exposed within those walls are features that tell unusual stories of geologic events, cultural history and inspire imaginative tales. On this field trip geologist Lloyd DeKay will lead you to several stops to explore and discuss those features and their stories as we do a 50-mile bus loop through some of the most spectacular scenic vistas the Gorge has to offer. Maars, lahars, pillows, petroglyphs, even an exotic side trip, plus much more will expand your vision and tickle your imagination. Lunch at a scenic overlook May 2nd, 9:30AM-4:00PM, bus loads at 9:30AM. Click here for the route map details Friday Evening, May 2nd, Nick Zentner Presents – “Bretz, Pardee, and the Ice Age Floods” Prepare to be enthralled and captivated as Nick Zentner (of YouTube fame!) brings to life the epic tale of J Harlen Bretz and Joseph Pardee, the visionary geologists who deciphered the colossal Ice Age Floods. Their story is one of scientific rebellion and groundbreaking discovery, and Nick’s dynamic presentation of his recent collaboration to document and share the field notes and journal revelations of Bretz and Pardee will leave you awestruck. May 2, 7:00 PM. Saturday, May 3rd, Ice Age Floods Gorge Geology field trip Ice Age Floods Gorge Geology Field Trip – Explore evidence of the Ice Age Floods in the Columbia Gorge with guidance from USGS geologists Jim O’Connor and Richard Waitt. This field trip will examine the geology of the Columbia River Gorge, especially the effects of the Ice Age Missoula floods, examining key sites and discussing the latest research. The Columbia River Gorge is the Columbia River’s long-held path through the volcanic arc of the Cascade Range. Here, the myriad routes of the dozens of scabland floods were confined to a single path, forced by gorge constrictions to flow depths as great as 300 m. The intense flood hydraulics left large, coarse boulder bars in the valley bottom and bedded slackwater deposits far up tributary valleys. Taking advantage of the simpler situation of single route, O’Connor and Waitt have been examining the stratigraphy, chronology, and hydrodynamics of Missoula flood features in the gorge for decades to gain a ‘beyond the scablands’ perspective on ice-age floods in the Columbia River basin. Learn more about the Missoula Floods, explore dramatic flood landforms, and enjoy beautiful vistas, lunch at the Deschutes River Park, and a no-host afternoon recap at Maryhill Winery. May 3rd, 9:00AM – 4:00PM, buses load at 9:00AM. Click here for the route map details Sunday, May 4th, Unveiling the Gorge repeat field trip. The walls of the Columbia Gorge expose layer upon layer of similar appearing Columbia River Basalt. But exposed within those walls are features that tell unusual stories of geologic events, cultural history and inspire imaginative tales. On this field trip, geologist Lloyd DeKay will lead you to several stops to explore and discuss many of those features and their stories as we do a 50-mile bus loop through some of the most spectacular scenic vistas the Gorge has to offer. Maars, lahars, pillows, petroglyphs, even an exotic side trip, plus much more will expand your vision and tickle your imagination. Lunch at a scenic overlook.May 4th, 9:30AM-4:00PM, bus loads at 9:30AM Click here for the route map details Note: The Columbia Gorge in May can be warm/cool,