Explore how glaciers and glacial ice ages shaped the Olympic Peninsula, Eastern Washington, North America, and the entire Earth. Geologists now recognize that the Earth has experienced six ice ages including “Snowball Earth” from 850 - 635 million years ago. Examination of glacial landforms such as moraines, eskers, drumlins and glacial erratics that occur here on the Olympic Peninsula and formed during the last Ice Age beginning 2.58 million years ago. Landforms created during the Ice Age Missoula floods of Eastern Washington’s Channeled Scablands will also be discussed.
Student Learning Outcomes:
1. What is a glacier and how do they form?
2. Briefly discuss the six ice ages found within the geological record.
3. Identify and briefly describe common glacial landforms.
4. Describe the origin and landforms of the Channeled Scablands of Eastern Washington.