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)

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