Geomorphology of the Pacific Northwest - Ecoshare · PDF fileGeomorphology of the Pacific...
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GeomorphologyofthePacificNorthwestLegendandGlossaryDefinitionsandDescriptionsofTermsUsedintheMappingofLandforms,LandformGroups,andLandformAssociationsinRegionSix,ForestService
JayS.NollerOregonStateUniversityCorvallis,OregonSarahJ.HashForestServiceBend,OregonKarenBennettForestServicePortland,OregonDecember2013ver.0.7DRAFT
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NotetotheReaderThisprovisional,drafttextpresentsandbrieflydescribesthetermsusedinthepreparationofamapoflandformgroupscoveringallforestswithinRegionSixoftheUSForestService.FormaldefinitionofmapunitsispendingcompletionofthismapandreviewthereofbyalloftheforestsinRegionSix.MapunitnamesappendedtoGISshapefilesareconcatenationsoftermsdefinedhereinandaremeanttobeobjectivedescriptorsofthelandscapewithineachmapunitboundary.Thesemapunitnameshaveyettoundergoafinalvettingandcullingtoreducecomplexity,redundancyorobfuscationunintentionallyresultingfrommapcreationactivities.Anyomissionsorerrorsinthisdraftdocumentaretheresponsibilityofitsauthors.Rev.06on05December2013byJayNoller
GeomorphologyofthePacificNorthwest–MapLegendTerm Description
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AncientVolcanoes Landformgroupssuggestiveofadeeplyerodedvolcano.Typicallyacentralhypabyssalorshallowplutonicrocksarepresentincentral(core)areaoftherelictvolcano.
Apron Footslopetotoeslopepositionsofvolcanoestomountainranges.Synonymouswithbajadainanalluvialcontext.
Ballena Distinctivelyround-topped,paralleltosub-parallelridgelinesandinterveningvalleysthathaveanoverallfan-shapedordistributarydrainagepattern.Theridge'sbroadlyroundedshouldersmeetfromeithersidetoformanarrowcrestandmergesmoothlywiththeconcavebackslopes.LocallyappliedtoremnantsoffanalluviumoftheGreatBasin(cf.Peterson,1981)[FSGeomorph],butusedasalandformsensostrictuwithoutreferencetounderlyinglithology.
Canyon Long,deep,relativelynarrowsteep-sidedvalleyconfinedbetweenloftyandprecipitouswallsinaplateauormountainousarea,oftenwithastreamatthebottom;similarto,butlargerthan,agorge.Itischaracteristicofaridorsemiaridareaswherestreamdowncuttinggreatlyexceedsweathering(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
Canyonlands Drainagecharacterizedbyaseriesoflong,deep,relativelysteep-sidedvalleyswhichgenerallyoccurwithinplateausormountainouscountryinaridorsemiaridclimates(FSGeomorph)
CirqueBasin Deep,steep-walledhalf-bowl-likerecessorhollow,variouslydescribedashorseshoe-orcrescent-shapedorsemicircularinplan,situatedhighonthesideofamountainandcommonlyattheheadofaglacialvalley,andproducedbytheerosiveactivityofamountainglacier.Itoftencontainsasmallroundlake,anditmayormaynotbeoccupiedbyiceorsnow.
CraterWall Acraterisabasinlike,rimmedstructurethatisusuallyatthesummitofavolcaniccone.Itmaybeformedbycollapse,byanexplosiveeruption,orbythegradualaccumulationofpyroclasticmaterialinasurroundingrim.
Cuesta ahillorridgewithagentleslopeononesideandasteepslopeontheother;specificallyanasymmetricridgewithoneface(dipslope)longandgentleandconformingwiththedipoftheresistantbedorbedsthatformit,andtheoppositeface(scarpslope)steeporevencliff-likeandformedbytheoutcropoftheresistantrocks,theformationoftheridgebeingcontrolledbythedifferentialerosionofthegentlyinclinedstrata(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
Delta low,nearlyflat,alluvialtractoflandatournearthemouthofariver,commonlyformingatriangularorfan-shapedplainofconsiderablearea,crossedbymanydistributariesofthemainriver,perhapsextendingbeyondthegeneraltrendofthecoast,andresultingfromtheaccumulationofsedimentsuppliedbytheriverinsuchquantitiesthatitisnotremovedbytides,waves,andcurrents.Mostdeltasarepartysubaerialandpartlybelowwater(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
GeomorphologyofthePacificNorthwest–MapLegendTerm Description
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Deposit Earthmaterialofanytype,eitherconsolidatedorunconsolidated,thathasaccumulatedbyvariousmasswastingprocesses(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
Drift Anall-inclusivetermforanykindofrockmaterialtransportedanddepositedbytheiceormeltwaterofglaciers(Tuttle)
Dune Alowmound,ridge,bank,orhillofloose,windblowngranularmaterial(generallysand,sometimesvolcanicash),eitherbareorcoveredwithvegetation,capableofmovementfromplacetoplacebutalwaysretainingitscharacteristicshape.(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
DuneField Anexpansecoveredbydunes(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)Escarpment Along,moreorlesscontinuousclifforrelativelysteepslopefacing
inonegeneraldirection,breakingthecontinuityofthelandbyseparatingtwolevelorgentlyslopingsurfaces,andproducedbyerosionorbyfaulting.Thetermisoftenusedsynonymouslywithscarp,althoughescarpmentismoreoftenappliedtoacliffformedbydifferentialerosion(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
Estuary Theseawardendorthewidenedfunnel-shapedtidalmouthofarivervalleywherefreshwatercomesintocontactwithseawaterandwheretidaleffectsareevident;e.g.atidalriver,orapartiallyenclosedcoastalbodyofwaterwherethetidemeetsthecurrentofastream(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
ExtendedTerrain Surfacemorphologypreservinglandformsincludinghorsts,grabens,sags,shears,escarpments,divertedstreamsandotherextensionaltectoniclandforms.
Fan agentlysloping,fan-shapedmassofdetritusformingasectionofalow-angleconecommonlyataplacewherethereisanoticeabledecreaseingradient;specificallyanalluvialfan
Flank(e.g.volcanicflank) Lowerthirdofasideslope,belowaslopebreaktransitionfromsteeperslopetomoregradualslope
Flows SeeLavaFlowsFoothills Aregionofrelativelylow,roundedhillsatthebaseoforfringinga
mountainrange(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)Gorge Anarrowdeepvalleywithnearlyverticalrockywalls,enclosedby
mountains,smallerthanacanyon,andmoresteep-sidedthanaravine;especiallyarestrictedsteep-walledpartofacanyon(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
HangingValley Aglacialvalleywhosemouthisatarelativelyhighlevelonthesteepsideofalargerglacialvalley.Thelargervalleywaserodedbyatrunkglacierandthesmalleronebyatributaryglacier,andthediscordanceofleveloftheirfloors,aswellastheirdifferenceinsize,isduetothegreatererosivepowerofthetrunkglacier(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
Highlands Generaltermforarelativelylargeareaofelevatedormountainouslandstandingprominentlyaboveadjacentlowareas;amountainousregion.Thetermisoftenusedinthepluralina
GeomorphologyofthePacificNorthwest–MapLegendTerm Description
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propername.BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
Hills **SeeMeybeckdefinitionbelowHillslopes Slopesofhills.IceCap Amassoficeandsnowthatpermanentlycoversalargeareaof
land,i.e.amountainrange(relictfeature)(smallerthananicesheet)
IceCapBorderlands AreasneighboringtheIceCapMargin,butnotdirectlyimpactedbytheIceCapitself;internallandformsmayreflectthepresenceoftheIceCap.
IceCapHighlands AreasoncecoveredbyanIceCapandthatnowtopographicallystandinhigherreliefthatsurroundingdeglaciatedarea.
IceCapMargin Sculptedbyiceanddepositionofdriftandloessalongthemaximumextentboundaryofamountainicecap.
IceCapMoraine Glacialtilldepositedinaridge-likelandform(moraine)paralleltotheicecapmargin.
IceCapPlain Sculptedbyiceandinwashdepositionwithinthe'footprint'ofamountainicecap.
IceCapSlopesandValleys Landformssculptedbyicewithinthe'footprint'ofamountainicecap;includingmeltwatercanyonsorcoulees.
Icefields Areasoficeaccumulationshowingnivationlandforms,butlackingclassicglaciallandforms.
IceSheetMargin Sculptedbyiceanddepositionofdriftandloessalongthemaximumextentboundaryofacontinentalicesheet.
IceSheetUplands Areaimmediatelyadjacenttoandinfluencedbyalargemassofglacierice,e.g.acontinentalglacier(largerthananicecap)
Intermountain Areasbetweenmountains.InterplainValleys Valleysthatcross-cutplains,suchasvolcanicplains,dueperhaps
toerosionaland/ortectonicprocesses.InwashPlain Abroad,gentlyslopingsheetofinwashdepositedbymeltwater
sourcedfromstagnantglacialice,thesurfaceofabroadbodyofinwash.
Landslides Massmovementdepositsandlandformswithrotationaltotranslationalstylesofslopefailure.
LavaFlows Alateral,surficialoutpouringofmoltenlavafromaventorafissure;also,thesolidifiedbodyofrockthatissoformed
Lowland **SeeMeybeckdefinitionbelowMaar Alow-relief,broadvolcaniccraterformedbymultipleshallow
explosiveeruptions.Itissurroundedbyacraterring,andmaybefilledbywater
MarinePlatform Anactivelyforminglandformgroupwithsimilarforms(esp.sanddunes,marine/estuarinesedimentdeposits,seacliff)andinternalcharacteristicsofmarineterraces;thelowestmarineterrace.
GeomorphologyofthePacificNorthwest–MapLegendTerm Description
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MarineTerrace Anarrow,gentlyslopingconstructionalcoastalstripextendingseawardorlakeward,andveneeredbyasedimentarydeposit;esp.awave-builtterrace.Or,astrippedwave-cutplatformthathasbeenexposedbyupliftorloweringofthewaterlevel;anelevatedwave-cutbench.(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
MeanderBelt Adeeptoverydeeplyincisedmeanderplain;similarlandformstoameanderplainexceptmostaregreatlyexaggeratedinreliefandunderlainbybedrock.
MeanderPlain Thezonealongavalleyflooracrosswhichameanderingstreamshiftsitschannelfromtimetotime,specificallytheareaofthefloodplainincludedbetweentwolinesdrawntangentiallytothetheextremelimitsofallfullydevelopedmeanders.Itmaybefrom15to18timesthewidthofthestream(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
Meltwatercanyons/coulees Landformssculptedbyglaciofluvialprocessinsubglacialandepiglaciallocations.Typicallyrecognizedasvalleyswithunderfitstreamsorwindgapsacrosswatersheddivides.
Midlands Landscapeintermediatetolowlandsanduplands.Moraine Amound,ridge,orotherdistinctaccumulationofunsorted,
unstratifiedglacialdrift,predominantlytill,depositedchieflybydirectactionofglacierice,inavarietyoftopographiclandformsthatareindependentofcontrolbythesurfaceonwhichthedriftlies.
Mountain **SeeMeybeckdefinitionbelowMountainfront Pronouncedmountainslopeorsetofplanartosomewhatplanar
slopesfacingaplainorotherareaoflowereelevationandlowrelief.
MountainValley Valleywithinandorientedparalleltothecrestofamountainrange,suchasacrestalchasmorgraben.
Mountainside Slopesofmountainousarea,extendingfrombelowthesummittoalowerposition.
OutwashPlain Abroad,gentlyslopingsheetofoutwashdepositedbymeltwaterstreamsflowinginfrontoforbeyondaglacier,andformedbycoalescingoutwashfans;thesurfaceofabroadbodyofoutwash(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
PeatLowlands Areaoflowtopographicalreliefwithinternaldrainageandhighwatertableorsurfacewaterevident.ofpeatormuckaccumulationisknownorlikelihoodishigh.
Piedmont Lyingorformedatthebaseofamountainormountainrange;e.g.apiedmontterraceorapiedmontpediment.Anarea,plain,slope,glacier,orotherfeatureatthebaseofamountain;e.g.afoothillorabajada.(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
Plain **SeeMeybeckdefinitionbelowPlateau **SeeMeybeckdefinitionbelowPlatform **SeeMeybeckdefinitionbelowPumiceFan Fan-shapeddepositofwater-transportedpumice,occuringatthe
baseofatopographicfeaturewherethereisaslopebreak
GeomorphologyofthePacificNorthwest–MapLegendTerm Description
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PumicePlain Areaoflowreliefandlowroughness(seeMeybeckdefinitionbelow)blanketedwithasubstantialthicknessofpumicefromalocalventsource
Scours Thepowerfulandconcentratedclearinganddiggingactionofflowingair,water,orice,esp.thedownwarderosionbystreamwaterinsweepingawaymudandsiltontheoutsidecurveofabend,orduringtimeofflood.
ScoursandDeposits Aprocessofalternateexcavationandrefillingofachannel,asbyastreamorthetides;especiallysuchaprocessoccurringintimeofflood,whenthedischargeandvelocityofanaggradingstreamaresuddenlyincreased,causingthediggingofthenewchannelsthatbecomefilledwithsedimentwhenthefloodsubsides.
ShieldCrest Crestalareaofashieldvolcano,comprisingpeakandshoulder.ShieldVolcano volcanointheshapeofaflatteneddome,broadandlow,builtby
flowsofveryfluidbasalticlavaland/orpyroclasticflows(modifiedBJ1995,FSGeomorph)
Tablelands Generaltermforabroad,elevatedregionwithanearlylevelorundulatingsurfaceofconsiderableextent;or,aplateauborderedbyabruptclifflikeedgesrisingsharplyfromthesurroundinglowland;amesa.(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
Terrace Astep-likesurface,borderingavalleyfloororshoreline,thatrepresentstheformerpositionofafloodplain,lakeorseashore.Thetermisusuallyappliedtoboththerelativelyflatsummitsurface(tread),cutorbuiltbystreamorwaveaction,andthesteeperdescendingslope(scarp,riser)gradedtoalowerbaseleveloferosion.
Uplands Ageneraltermforhighlandoranextensiveregionofhighland,especiallyfarfromthecoastorintheinteriorofacountry.Thehighergroundofaregion,incontrastwithavalley,plain,orotherlow-lyingland(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
Valley Anylow-lyinglandborderedbyhigherground;anelongate,relativelylarge,gentlyslopingdepressionoftheEarth'ssurface,commonlysituatedbetweentwomountainsorbetweenrangesofhillsormountains,andoftencontainingastreamwithanoutlet.Itisusuallydevelopedbystreamerosion,butmaybeformedbyfaulting.Abroadareaofgenerallyflatlandextendinginlandforaconsiderabledistance,drainedorwateredbyalargeriverandit'stributaries.(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
ValleyBottoms Thecomparativelybroad,flatbottomofavalley;itmaybeexcavatedandrepresentthelevelofaformererosioncycle,oritmaybeburiedunderathincoverofalluvium.
Volcano Aconicalhilloflavaand/orpyroclasticsthatisbuiltuparoundavolcanicvent(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
VolcanoMountains regioncharacterizedbymountainsofvolcanicorigin,whichareanypartoftheearth'scrusthigherthanahill,sufficientlyelevatedabovethesurroundinglandsurfaceofwhichitformsaparttobe
GeomorphologyofthePacificNorthwest–MapLegendTerm Description
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worthyofadistinctivename,characterizedbyarestrictedsummitarea(asdistinguishedfromaplateau),andgenerallyhavingcomparativelysteepsidesandconsiderablebare-rocksurfaceofvolcanicorigin(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
MeybeckMountainModelThefollowingtermsaredefinedbasedontheMeybeckmountainmodel,whichusesdegreeofsurfaceroughnessandmeanelevationtodevelopastandardizedglobalclassification(Meybeck,M.,P.GreenandC.Vorosmarty.2001.ANewTypologyforMountainsandOtherReliefClasses:AnapplicationtoGlobalContinentalWaterResourcesandPopulationDistribution.MountainResearchandDevelopment,21(1):34-45).Roughnessandmaximumaltitudearedescribedataresolutionof30x30'.ReliefRoughness(RR)=maxminusminimumelevationpercelldividedbyhalfthecelllengthinmeters/kilometer.Hill(Meybeck) Allroughterrains(20<RR<160)atlowaltitude(200-500mean
elevation)Lowland(Meybeck) Restrictedtomaximummeanelevations<200m;verysimilarto
plainsbuthavearelativelygreaterroughnessduetominorormoderatevalleyincisions
Mountain(Meybeck) Definedbymeanelevation,exceeding500m,roughnessexceeds20atlowandmediumaltitudes(500-2000m)and40athighandveryhighaltitudes(2000-4000mand4000-6000m)
Plain DefinedprimarilybysubhorizontalreliefPlateau Lowormediumroughness;lowplateausareveryflatterrainwhile
highplateausmaybepoorlydissected(Meybeck).Anycomparativelyflatareaofgreatextentandelevation;specificallyanextensivelandregionconsiderablyelevated(morethan150-300minaltitude)abovetheadjacentcountryorabovesealevel;itiscommonlylimitedonatleastonesidebyanabruptdescent,hasaflatornearlysmoothsurfacebutisoftendissectedbydeepvalleysandsurmountedbyhighhillsormountains,andhasalargepartofitstotalsurfaceatornearthesummitlevel.Aplateauisusuallyhigherandhasmorenoticeablereliefthanaplain(itoftenrepresentsanelevatedplain),andisusuallyhigherandmoreextensivethanamesa;itmaybetectonic,residual,orvolcanicinorigin(BJ1995,FSGeomorph)
Platform Definedbyintermediatealtitude(200-500m,higherthanplains)andintermediateroughness(5-20).Canbeconsideredverylowaltitudeplateaus.
LandformGroupsofthePacificNorthwest-StructuralPatternQualifiersTerm Description
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Broad Surfacemorepronouncedinarealextentthanrelief.Broadcrested Weaklydefinedridgelineborderedbylow-tomoderately-
slopingshoulders.CraggyDissected
Rough,ruggedelevatedsurfacefullofcrags.Havingahighreliefroughness,mainlyresultingfromstreamsystemscrossingthelandscape,resultinginarepeating"V-like"planviewofridgesandvalleys.
Faceted Havingflatfaceswithsharpangularboundariesbetweenfaces,indicativeofcompetent,crystallinebedrock
Incised Streamsareentrenchedinthesurroundinglandformandnotnecessarilyconnectedtoafloodplain.Thelandformmayhavealowsurfaceroughnessandlikelylacksthe"V-like"planviewcommonwithdissectedlandforms
Radial Radiatingdrainagedivergesawayfromacentralhighpoint,typicallyonaconicalfeaturesuchasavolcano
Reticulated Areadominatedbyobviousjointtrellis,rectangularorangulardrainagepattern.
RugoseSharpcrested
Surfacefullofwrinkleswithsunkendrainages.Drainagesideslopesareplanarconcave.Well-definedridgelineborderedbyrecognizableshouldersandorbackslopes.
Shattered Areawithdrainagepatterncharacterizedasgreatlyrandomizedandangulate.
Sinusoidal Havingsinuousshapedgroupsoflandformsoroutermapboundary.
Smooth Planarsurfacewithminortonodiscernablelandformsresolvableatoriginalscaleofmapping.
Smoothcrested Undefinedridgelineborderedbylow-slopingshoulders;lowrelief,convexo-planarsurfaceunderliesdrainagedivide.
Smoothtop Broad,low-slopingtoflatcrestalareasofridges.Stratal Megalandformsresultingfromcorrasionoftiltedgeological
strata,showinglandforms(flatirons,triangularfacets,dipslopes)indicativeofindividualbedstoformations.Synonyms:cuestaformandstructurallycontrolledslopes.
SulcateTerraced
Surfacewithlongitudinalfurrows,crestsaresmoothlyconvexandswalesarev-shaped.Drainagesideslopesareplanarconvex.Havingrepeatinglandformpatternsoftreadsandrisers
VerrucatedWashboard
Surfacescoveredbywartyorlumpyelevations.Thewartsorlumps(‘knockers’inCalifornia’sFranciscanTerrane)areresolvableatthescaleatwhichthelandformmapisproduced.Hassomesimilarinterpretationsas‘hummocky,’whichisreservedforareasofknownlandsliding.Regularlyspaceddrainagesandridgeswithmirrorsymmetryofdepthsandheights,respectively;analogoustoalaundrywashboardofold.
LandformGroupsofthePacificNorthwest-GeomorphProcessQualifierTerm Description
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Ashmantled Blanketedwithsubstantialthickness(>18inches)ofash-sizedparticles(finerthan0.1inch)fromlocalventsources
Ashy Blanketedwiththin(<18inches)ofash-sizedparticles(finerthan0.1inch)fromlocalventsources
Collapsed Indicativeoflarge-arealandslides/masswasting,slumpandsourcecanbeidentified;drainagepatternsmaybeinterrupted
Eroded Wornawaybyrunningwater,waves,movingice,orwind(deflationorabrasion),orbysuchprocessesasmasswastingandcorrosion(Bloom,1991,FSGeomorph)
Faulted Areaoffracturinganddisplacementwheretworockmasseshaveslidpasteachother
Fluvial Oforpertainingtostreams;producedbystreamorriveractionFluviolacustrine Materialtransported,sortedanddepositedbyflowingstreams
intolakesystems,wherefurthersortingmayoccurGlacial Pertainingtodistinctiveprocessesandfeaturesproducedbyor
derivedfromglaciersandicesheets,asinglaciallakesorglacialerosion(BJ1995,FSGeomorph);
Glacialscoured Areaofbarerockresultingfromtheabrasiveactionofrockfragmentsembeddedinthebaseofamovingglacier(myowndefinition)
Glaciated Pertainingtoaformerlyglacier-coveredsurface,especiallyonethathasbeenmodifiedbytheactionofaglacieroranicesheet
Glaciofluvial Stratifiedmaterialmovedbyglaciersandsubsequentlysortedanddepositedbystreamsflowingfromthemeltingice.(NRCSGlossary,HP)
Glaciolacustrine Materialrangingfromfineclaytosandderivedfromglaciersanddepositedinglaciallakesbywateroriginatingmainlyfromthemeltingofglacialice.Manyarebeddedorlaminatedwithvarvesorrhythmites.
Glaciovolcanic Depositsand/orlandformsderivedfrommixedsourcesofglacialandvolcanic,includingash-on-icesourceddepositsandsubglacialeruptiveventsandflows.
Hummocky Uneven,irregularorundulatinggroundsurfacewithmanysmallhillsandswales;maybeindicativeofdeep-seatedrotationalsoilmovementbutnotnecessarilyso(mydefinition)
IceMargin SculptedbyiceanddepositionofdriftandloessalongthemaximumextentboundaryofaMountainIceCaporContinentalIceSheet.
Lacustrine Pertainingto,producedby,orformedinalakeorlakes.MegafloodScoured Soilandunconsolidatedgeologicsedimentsremoved/swept
awaybyMissoulaFloodsfloodwatersOutwashScoured Areascouredofsoilandunconsolidatedgeologicsedimentsby
glacialmeltwatersandlocallyaccumulativeofdrift,particularlystratifiedoutwash.
LandformGroupsofthePacificNorthwest-GeomorphProcessQualifierTerm Description
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Paraglacial Influenced/directlyconditionedbyglaciationanddeglaciation,thoughtheareaisnotindirectcontactwithglacialiceorinfluencedbycold-climateprocessesaswithperiglaciallandscapes;featuresareconstructedbygeomorphicprocessesactiveduringthetransitionfromglacialtopost-glacialconditions(mydefinition)
Periglacial Pertainingtoprocesses,conditions,areas,climates,andtopographicfeaturesoccurringattheimmediatemarginsofglaciersandicesheets,andinfluencedbycoldtemperatureoftheice.
Pumiced Coveredwithpumice,rockfragments>2mmindiameter,madeoflight-colored,vesicular,glassyrockcommonlyhavingthecompositionofrhyolite.Thematerialcommonlyhasaspecificgravityof<1.0andistherebysufficientlybuoyanttofloatonwater.
Volcanic ReferringtotheprocessesbywhichmagmaanditsassociatedgasesriseintothecrustandareextrudedontotheEarth'ssurfaceandintotheatmosphere;thestructuresrocksandlandformsproduced.
Volcanofluvial Depositsand/orlandformsderivedfrommixedfluvialandvolcanicprocesses,includingmudflowdeposits.
GeomorphologyofthePacificNorthwest–MorphometryQualifiers
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Thefollowingaremorphometryparameters,definitionsandvalidvaluesusedintheUSFSclassification,withsomeadditionsandmodifications.SlopeShape-Referstotheshape(horizontaland/orvertical)ofthelandsurfaceValue MeaningCV Concave(alsodepression)CX Convex(alsoraised)L Linear/Planar(alsostraight,even,smooth)P Patterned-reliefofhummocksandswaleswithinseveralfeet)U Undulating(alsorolling)-patternofoneormorelowreliefridgesorknollsanddrawsB Broken-cliffs,knobs,and/orbenchesinterspersedwithsteeperslopes-generally
characterizedbysharp,irregularbreaksX Mixed
GroundSurfaceShape-Shapeofthegroundsurface(asopposedtothelandsurface).Maybefurtherdescribedaccordingtothetypeoffeaturescausingtheshapebyatermfromthemicrofeaturetable.
Value MeaningC CollapsedE ErodedF FaultedH HummockyU Uniform
DissectionFrequencyClass-Thefrequencyclassfordissectionsinlandformswithslopecomponents.Value Meaning(at1:100,000scale)U Undissected(0channels/mile)S SlightlyDissected(1-2channels/mile)M ModeratelyDissected(2-5H HighlyDissected(>5channels/mile)
DissectionDepthClass-Thedissectiondepthclassforlandformswithslopecomponents.Value MeaningS ShallowlyincisedI IncisedD Deeplyincised(akaDeep)V Verydeeplyincised(akaUltradeep)R Rugged-Havingtwoormoredissectiondepthclasses
GeomorphologyofthePacificNorthwest–MorphometryQualifiers
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DrainagePattern-Theconfigurationorarrangementinplanviewofthenaturalstreamcoursesinanarea.
Value MeaningDN Dendritic-TypepatternresemblesspreadingoakorchestnuttreeDNSD Subdendritic-minorsecondarycontrolDNPN Pinnate-Adendriticdrainagepatterninwhichthemainstreamreceivesmanycloselyspaced,
subparalleltributariesthatjoinitatacuteangles,resemblinginplanafeather;itisbelievedtoindicateunusuallysteepslopesonwhichthetributariesdeveloped.Foundinfine-textured,easilyerodiblematerials.
DNAS Anastamotic-Pertainingtoanetworkofbranchingandrejoiningchannelpatternofabraidedstream.Foundonfloodplains,deltasandtidalmarshes.
DNSD Distributary-Adivergentstreamflowingawayfromthemainstreamandnotreturningtoit,asinadeltaoronanalluvialfan.Itmaybeproducedbystreamdepositionchokingtheoriginalchannel
PR Parallel-Adrainagepatterninwhichthestreamsandtheirtributariesareregularlyspacedandflowparallelorsubparalleltooneanotheroveraconsiderablearea.Itisindicativeofaregionhavingapronounced,moderatetosteepuniformslopeandahomogeneouslithologyandrockstructure.Alsofoundinareaswithparallel,elongatelandforms.
PRSP Subparallel-Foundonintermediateslopesorcontrolledbysubparallellandforms.PRCO Colinear-Occurbetweenlinearlandforms,suchasthoseobservedinerodedloessplainsand
sandridges.TR Trellis-Adrainagepatterncharacterizedbyparallelmainstreamsintersectedatornearlyat
rightanglesbytheirtributaries,whichinturnarefedbyelongatedsecondarytributariesparalleltothemainstreams,resemblinginplanthestemsofavineonatrellis.Itiscommonlydevelopedwherethebevelededgesofalternatinghardandsoftrocksoutcropinparallelbelts,asinarejuvenatedfolded-mountainregionorinamaturelydissectedbeltedcoastalplainoftiltedstrata;itisindicativeofmarkedstructuralcontrolemphasizedbysubsequentandsecondaryconsequentstreams.
TRST Subtrellis-Parallelelongatelandforms.TRDT DirectionalTrellis-Occursongentlehomoclinesorgentleslopeswithbeachridgesorother
linear,apparentlyaccretionarylandforms.TRRT RecurvedTrellis-Occursonplungingfolds.TRJT JointTrellis-Occursinareashavingstraightparallelfaultsorjointsorothertypelithological
contacts.RC Rectangular-Adrainagepatterninwhichthemainstreamsandtheirtributariesdisplaymany
right-anglebendsandexhibitsectionsofapproximatelythesamelength;itisindicativeofstreamsfollowingprominentfaultorjointsystemsthatbreaktherocksintorectangularblocks.Itismoreirregularthanthetrellisdrainagepattern,asthesidestreamsarenotperfectlyparallelandnotnecessarilyasconspicuouslyelongated,andsecondarytributariesneednotbepresent.
RCAN Angulate-Occursinareashavingjointsandfaultsatotherthanarightangle.RD Radial-Adrainagepatterninwhichconsequentstreamsradiateordivergeoutward,likethe
spokesofawheel,fromahighcentralarea;itisbestdevelopedontheslopesofayoung,unbreacheddomalstructureorofavolcaniccone.
RDCN Centripetal-Occursincraters,calderasandotherdepressions.
GeomorphologyofthePacificNorthwest–MorphometryQualifiers
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AN Annular-Adrainagepatterninwhichsubsequentstreamsfollowaroughlycircularorconcentricpathalongabeltofweakrocks,resemblinginplanaring-likepattern.Itisbestdisplayedbystreamsdrainingamaturelydissectedstructuraldomeorbasinwhereerosionhasexposedrimmingsedimentarystrataofgreatlyvaryingdegreesofhardness.
MB Multibasinal-Drainagepatternexpressedinareashavinghummockysurficialdeposits,differentiallyscouredordeflatedbedrock,areasofrecentvolcanism,limestonesolutionorpermafrostwherethereisamultipledepressionpattern.
MBGD GlaciallyDisturbed-Glacialerosionordeposition.MBKS Karst-Limestoneorotherlithologypronetodissolutionandmasscollapseduetosolutional
erosionofmass.MBTK Thermokarst-PermafrostMBEB ElongateBay-Coastalplainsanddeltas.CT Contorted-Apatternlackingregionalorderliness,discontinuityofridgesandvalleysand
generallysmallerscale.
TopographicalModifierValue MeaningH High-Landsurfaceispronouncedlyhigherinelevationthanneighboringareaorotherland
surfacesofsimilarclass.L Low-Landsurfaceisrelativelylowerinreliefthanneighboringareaorotherlandformgroups
ofsimilarclass.D Deep-Landsurfaceisobviouslydeeperinreliefthanneighboringareaorotherlandform
groupsofsimilarclass.U Ultradeep-Landsurfaceispronouncedlydeeperinreliefthanneighboringareaorother
landformgroupsofsimilarclass.
SurficialProcesses(PROC1[=SurficialProcess#1],PROC2,PROC3;Sp1[=SurficialProcess#1],Sp2)Code Initial SurficialProcess0 W Activewaterbodies;rivers,lakesandocean.1 E Eolian2 F Fluvial3 G Glacial4 L Lacustrine5 O Marine(Ocean)6 M Masswasting,includingcolluvium7 T Tectonicorstrata(Geologicalstructure)8 V Volcanic9 X Mixed
GeomorphologyofthePacificNorthwest–MorphometryQualifiers
15
ConstructionModifier(LfA_CON[LandformAssoc.construction],LfG_CON[LandformGroupconst.])Value Meaning3 Geologicallyrecentconstructionoflandformisevident.Freshlandformsindicativeofnew
constructionoflandsurfacebydepositionofsediments,tephraorothermaterials.Minorerosion,suchasactiveriverchannels,maybeincludedinthisclass.Originallandform(s)(inferred)is/arewellpreservedinmuchofthelandformmapunit.
2 Sameasvalue3,exceptfreshnessornewconstructionareinevidentorweatheringanddegradationoflandformhasoccurred.Originallandform(s)(inferred)is/aremoderatelypreservedinmuchofthelandformmapunit.
1 Sameasvalue2,exceptitisevidentthatweatheringanddegradationoflandformhasoccurred.Originallandform(s)(inferred)is/arepoorlypreservedinmuchofthelandformmapunit.
0 Nothingremainsoftheoriginalconstructionalorerosionalsurface.Originallandform(s)(inferred)is/arenotpreservedinanypartofthelandformmapunit.
-1 Sameasvalue-2,exceptitisevidentthatweatheringandaggradationonlandformhasoccurred.Originallandform(s)(inferred)is/arepoorlypreservedinmuchofthelandformmapunit.
-2 Sameasvalue-3,exceptfreshnessornewdestructionareinevidentorweatheringandaggradationonlandformhasoccurred.Originallandform(s)(inferred)is/aremoderatelypreservedinmuchofthelandformmapunit.
-3 Geologicallyrecenterosionoflandformisevident.Freshlandformsindicativeofnewerosionoflandsurfacebyscouringofsediments,rockorothermaterials.Minordeposition,suchasactiveriverfloodplain,maybeincludedinthisclass.Originallandform(s)(inferred)is/arewellpreservedinmuchofthelandformmapunit.
GeomorphologyofthePacificNorthwest–MorphometryQualifiers
16
Provisional‘Global’KeytoRaster/GridMapofLandformsintheAreaoftheWillametteNF Thesehaveyettobelocallyreclassedtomorespecificlandformname. DraftSummer2011JayNoller,OregonStateUniversityBasedonWeissLandformModel(forArcView)LandformsDominantlyRelatedtoFluvialErosionorDeposition1 CANYONSandDEEPLYINCISEDSTREAMS(Fluvialdeposits,localrockfalldepositswherewalls
havetoppledorcollapsed)
2 MIDSLOPEDRAINAGESandSHALLOWVALLEYS(Fluvialdepositspredominant)
3 UPLANDDRAINAGESandHEADWATERS(Fluvio-colluvialdepositspredominant)
LandformsDominantlyRelatedtoGlaciation
4 U-SHAPEDVALLEYS(Glacialdepositsandlandformspredominant;includesvalleybottoms,valleymid-slopesandlowerglacialtroughwalls)
LandformsofMultiplePotentialOrigins
5 PLAINS
6 OPENHILLSLOPES
7 UPPERHILLSLOPESandMESAS
8 LOCALRIDGESandHILLSINVALLEYS
9 MIDSLOPERIDGESandSMALLHILLSINPLAINS
10 PEAKS,MOUNTAINTOPS,andHIGHRIDGES
GeomorphologyofthePacificNorthwest
17
References
Bates,R.L.,andJackson,J.A.,eds.,(1987,1995);GlossaryofGeology,2nded.,AmericanGeologicalInstitute,Alexandria,Virginia.[BJ1995]
Davis,C.,etal.(2004)LandtypeassociationsofnorthcentralWashington.USDA-USFSTechnicalReport,Wenatchee,WA.
Haskins,D.M.,etal.(1998)AGeomorphicClassificationSystem,v.1.4,U.S.D.A.ForestServiceGeomorphologyWorkingGroup.USDA-USFSTechnicalReport,Washington,DC.[FSGeomorph]
Tuttle,S.D.(1975)Landformsandlandscapes.Dubuque,Iowa,W.C.BrownPublishers,152pp.