4 ms·
This kind of “inevitable uncertainty” is uncomfortable. It will happen, and becomes more likely as time goes on, but it’s unlikely to happen today or tomorrow.
by mlhpdx 3y ago
This kind of “inevitable uncertainty” is uncomfortable. It will happen, and becomes more likely as time goes on, but it’s unlikely to happen today or tomorrow. It’s possibly catastrophic, but likely to be “only” severe.
Geology in Oregon is somewhat terrifying. The Columbia River gorge wasn’t a slow gradual cut over millions of years — it was a roaring, rushing calamity of water and ice ripping out solid rock.
And, the rock? Laid down by lava flows so large they span hundreds of miles and are deeper than buildings are tall.
The violence of Mother Nature.
- juunpp 3y agoRip & tear
- deeth_starr_v 3y agoBeautifully said. The whole pacific west is a scary wonder. Only thing I’d contest is that it’s just as likely to happen today or tomorrow as next year. Best to be prepared.
- mlhpdx 3y agoOne of my favorite such observations is in winter. Arriving at the top of the Mt Hood Express chairlift, soaking in blue sky and white snow, a smell of sulfur is often in the air. The magma chamber of this “potentially active” volcano is venting gases from the rock at my side.
- AlbertCory 3y agoI was about to say that (likelihood does not increase just because it hasn't happened), but then I realized that stresses along the faults DO increase, so maybe it does get more likely. I'm not a geologist.
- WalterBright 3y agoThe scab lands around the gorge were caused by an ice dam breaking at the end of the last ice age. It's not going to happen without another ice age.
- mlhpdx 3y agoYep. And one of the likely outcomes of global warming is an accelerated shift back to such conditions, ironically. None of this stuff is likely today, but it will all inevitably repeat.
- ianburrell 3y agoThe Columbia River Gorge is the same age as the Cascades and much older than the glacial floods. The Columbia river is older than the mountains and the Gorge formed as the mountains rose. The Gorge looked different before the glacial floods, they definitely change it. But the floods took that path to the sea because the Gorge was there. The floods had more effect on the Willamette Valley where they dumped lots of debris into the valley.
- mlhpdx 3y agoI’d quibble that the Cascades don’t have an age as they have continually been destroyed and renewed. They started at some point and have never stopped. What I mean by “the gorge” is what is monumental. The river was there, but what we admire about it is much more recent. Also, I’m not trying to be precise. The article was fundamentally about fear, and I’m just speaking to all the natural things around me that can cause it but really shouldn’t.
- michaelcampbell 3y agoIf this sort of thing interests you (or anyone, really), spend some hours with https://www.youtube.com/@CentralWashU https://www.youtube.com/@CentralWashU and Nick Zentner. He's entertaining, incredibly information dense, and I could (and have) spent hours watching his videos, and I don't even live in the area.
- 20after4 3y agoA really excellent use of some hours.