Manning Park Glaciation EarthCache
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This Earthcache is located at a location with a great view of the valley below. Bring a camera and learn something new about this location.
Glacial History in Manning Park
The most recent glaciation, the Wisconsin Glaciation, resulted in the current topography of Manning Park. Previous glaciation periods existed here, but each new glacier that is formed during a new glaciation period pretty much destroys any evidence of the previous one. Until about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago, the location you are standing at and the entire valley below was locked beneath a sheet of ice.
During the Wisconsin Glaciation, two lobes of ice are believed to have extended through the Manning Park area: the Hozameen Ice Sheet, and the Thompson Plateau Ice Sheet. The two glaciers were likely around 7000 feet thick, and virtually covered the surface of the Park. Only the highest mountain peaks, above 2130 m (7000 feet), were not covered by ice. These unglaciated peaks are called nunataks.
The mountains tops that were covered in ice are distinguishable from those that weren't by their more rounded and worn peaks.
After the last ice age ended, and all the ice had melted, small glaciers were left behind on the mountain peaks in areas that were protected by the shade. Over time, these small glaciers formed cirques, which are bowl shaped depression excavated by the source of a glacier. A cirque can be up to a square kilometre in size, and are typically partially surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs.
Other large-scale glacial features that can be found in this area include aretes (jagged ridges), and horns, which are a common shape for mountain tops in well glaciated areas. An example of a mountain with a horn peak is Mount Hozameen, can you spot it?
EarthCache logging requirements:
To log this EarthCache, please email me the answers to the following questions:
1. What is the name of the mountain across the valley from here that has visible cirques on it? How many cirques can you see on this mountain?
2. Based on the proposed ice thickness during the last glaciation, use the information boards at this location to name two mountains that were completely buried by ice during the last glaciation. Can you see any evidence that would suggest they had been buried? Please explain.
3. Based on the proposed ice thickness during the last glaciation, use the information boards at this location to name two mountains that were NOT completely buried by ice during the last glaciation. Can you see any evidence that would suggest they had NOT been completely buried? Please explain.
4. Using the proposed ice thickness of 2130 m (7000 feet), use your current elevation (from your GPS device) to calculate how far under the surface of the ice you would be if the last ice age was still ongoing. (This is basic elementary math and should not be a problem for anyone)
5. OPTIONAL. Post a photo of yourself at this location.
Sources used in making this EarthCache:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cirque
NATURAL AND HUMAN HISTORY INTERPRETIVE THEME DOCUMENT for MANNING PROVINCIAL PARK (prepared for BC Ministry of Parks)
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