Missouri River Bluffs-Wyeth Hill
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The Missouri River, the longest river system in the United States, forms a major geomorphic, hydrologic, and ecologic corridor within the nation. The Missouri River bluffs were formed over thousands of years and are a vital element in understanding this important waterway. This Earth Cache will bring you closer to understanding the formation of these bluffs.
THE PLEISTOCENE SUCCESSION
Northwest Missouri was glaciated at least twice during the pre-Illinoian time period. The glacial deposits formed the deep bedrock. St. Joseph Valley extended from near St. Joseph, Missouri, to the east-northeast. This was formed as an ice-marginal channel and was the terminus of the Nebraskan (pre-Illinoian A2) ice sheet. The river bluffs include sub-surface fluvial chert gravel, periglacial silt and very fine sand which is over 540,000 years old. An earlier ice sheet, the Kansan (pre-Illinoian A1), extended to near Kansas City where the river changes course and flows to the east. Further development of the river bluffs resulted from silt transported and deposited as outwash along the Missouri River which was picked up by winds and deposited as Loveland Loess. During the Sangamon or early Wisconsin Ice Age era, between 120,000 and 150,000 year ago, erosion became active. Between 12,000 and 25,000 years ago, glaciations further north resulted in outwash deposits in the St. Joseph area. Windblown silt derived from the outwash was deposited as Peoria Loess. Bignell, another type of Loess soil, is present at Wyeth Hill Park, an important stop on this Earth Cache adventure.
In summary, the Missouri River bluffs (at St. Joseph and elsewhere) were formed by several glaciers. These bluffs are the result of ice sheet flow, ice melt water, erosion and windblown soil particles.
To log this cache successfully, please e-mail me the answers to these four questions. Do not post the answers with your log. In completing your research of this section of Missouri River Bluffs you will travel to the top of the bluffs, down to the river, and see the bluffs up close on the river (west) side and the opposite (east) side of the bluffs.
1) What is the altitude above sea level at Waypoint 1, Wyeth Hill Parking Area?
2) What is the altitude above sea level at Waypoint 2, Missouri River Boat Ramp Parking Area?
3) What is the height of the Missouri River Bluffs at Wyeth Hill? Subtract Waypoint 2 from Waypoint 1 for the answer.
4) How many miles wide is the Missouri River Valley Flood Plain from Waypoint 1, Wyeth Hill Parking Area and Overlook, to the Missouri River Bluffs near Wathena, Kansas, Waypoint 3.
5) Take a scenic drive along McArthur Drive (it begins at the end of Jules Street -- Waypoint 4) and locate the exposed bluffs with no vegetation. Describe the nature of the bluff terrain and the color of the soil.
6) Near the corner of Highland Street and Huntoon Road (Waypoint 5) is a section of exposed bluff with parking nearby. What is your estimate of the height of this bluff? Collect a handful of the bluff soil and describe its color and texture (i.e, is it soft, coarse, does it contain sand or gravel). What is the name of this type of soil?
Reference Cited:
Langer, William H.; Smith, David; Brady, Lawrence L.; Melick, Roger A.; Knepper, Jr., Daniel H., 2002, Geologic Map of the St. Joseph Area, Missouri and Kansas, MF-2374, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey.
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