Quaternary geology, Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula

Professional Paper
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Abstract

Recent mapping and interpretation of Quaternary geologic features has improved our understanding of the interaction between volcanic, glacial, and tectonic activity in the Cold Bay and False Pass 1:250,000-scale quadrangles on the Alaska Peninsula. The glacial and volcanic record of the map area strongly suggests that continental-shelf glaciations and two massive volcanic centers were the dominant controls over landscape development during Pleistocene time. Ancestral Morzhovoi and Emmons Volcanoes were major impediments to flow of shelf glaciers during much of the Pleistocene. Our mapping suggests that the area around Emmons Volcano may have also been an important source area for glaciers during this period. Our data further indicate that Frosty Volcano developed late in the Pleistocene, having had no apparent impact on early Brooks Lake glacial advances but serving as a source area for later glacial advances during late Brooks Lake time. We also believe that major Holocene eruptions of Frosty Volcano have yielded multiple debris and ash flows resulting in the construction of a new south summit cone that filled an earlier crater. Frosty Volcano was the source area for multiple Holocene glacial advances, and its flanks preserve the best record of Neoglacial activity in the map area.

Study Area

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Quaternary geology, Cold Bay and False Pass quadrangles, Alaska Peninsula
Series title Professional Paper
Subseries 1633
DOI 10.3133/70180468
Year Published 2001
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Denver, CO
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center
Description 21 p.
Larger Work Type Report
Larger Work Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Larger Work Title Geologic studies in Alaska by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1999
First page 51
Last page 71
Country United States
State Alaska
Other Geospatial Alaska Peninsula, Cold Bay quadrangle, False Pass quadrangle
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