How Do They Know? Major Findings About the Ice Age Floods

Spokane Valley Library 22 N Herald Rd, A, Spokane Valley, W, WA, United States

  Maps Have you ever been watching a science program and wondered “How do they know that?” Dr. Gary L. Ford, President, IAFI, will briefly discuss the how and who “figured it out” regarding aspects of the Ice Age Floods, looking at five questions. These include: how we know there was a huge glacial lake in western Montana thousands of years ago, how we know it drained rapidly perhaps a hundred times, about how many floods there were and when they occurred, where the floodwater came from, and about how long it took the floodwater to get to the ocean. We also go over which answers to these questions are still being debated by researchers. Presented in partnership with Ice Age Floods Institute (IAFI)

Sheila Alfsen – Mt. St. Helens May 18,1980 Eruption – Lwr. Columbia Chapter

Tualatin Heritage Center 8700 SW Sweek Drive, Tualatin, OR, United States

The 1980 Eruption of Mt. St. Helens in Washington was the worst volcanic disaster in recorded US history. Geologist Sheila Alfsen, will bring the event back to life; detailing its onset and eruption sequence. She will illustrate its volcanic hazards with examples from other volcanoes and comparing their relative sizes. Sheila will discuss the advances in volcanology made as result of the eruption, and how they are used around the world to gain prediction and offer disaster mitigation. Thursday, May 15, 2025, In Person 7:00 PM (PDT) at Tualatin Heritage Center, 8700 SW Sweek Drive, Tualatin, OR 97062 ALSO Live ZOOM from THC, Click for Zoom meeting, Meeting ID: 869 4651 3479 Passcode: 322382. Sheila Alfsen Sheila Alfsen's Background: *Current Instructor of Geology: Portland State University, Chemeketa Community College, Linn Benton Community College *Researcher *FEMA Earthquake Publication Reviewer *Paleontology- University of Oregon, Volcanology, Oceanography *Master of Arts in Teaching, Western Oregon University *Bachelors of Arts from Western Oregon University, Geology and Spanish *Oregon resident since 1970 - extensively traveled in US, particularly the Western states, Alaska, Arctic region, Iceland, Hawaii, Mexico, Puerto Rico * Thirty-five years in Education: Experience in interpretation for National Park Service

Free

Cheney-Spokane Chapter Hike – Palisades Park

Palisades Park 2-198 S Rimrock Dr, Spokane, WA, United States

The 3-mile hike will be led by IAFICS board member geologist Michael Hamilton. It will take place along Rimrock Drive, which has spectacular views of Spokane and the Spokane Valley. The Glacial Outburst Flood Story will include a lot of "arm-waving," pointing out flood features both along the trail and with views to the east. The geology discussion will include details of another kind of flood that hit the Spokane area 14 million years ago. The hike will then cut to the west along one of the park's trails to find mysterious Mima mounds, and then loop back to the parking area.    

Northeastern Waterville Plateau Field Trip

Leahy Junction Coulee City, WA, United States

2025 Ellensburg Ice Age Flood Institute Field Trip - "Northeastern Waterville Plateau". Topics will center around the Okanogan Lobe of the Cordilleran Icesheet and Ice Age floods in a now farmed and ranched landscape in a part of Central Washington few of us visit.  The trip will begin near Leahy Junction north of Coulee City. All trips are free and open-to-the-public.  We travel by car pool.  More details will be forthcoming via email. Karl Lillquist

Cheney-Spokane Chapter Hike – Waikiki Springs

Waikiki Springs Trailhead Washington

Come join us for an easy hike just north of Spokane to explore Ice Age floods features, led by IAFICS board member geologist Michael Hamilton. This is one of the newest conservation areas in Spokane, and has well established trails. Waikiki Springs is an out-pouring of the Spokane Aquifer through the bottom of an ancient valley buried by sands and gravels of the great outburst floods of the last Ice Age. Hiking group size is limited to the first 20 people to sign up. After confirming your registration we will send you the hike details and keep you up-to-date on any changes that happen before the day of the hike. Resources: Waikiki Springs Nature Preserve