Geochronologic data reveal Late Pleistocene to Holocene debris-flow history and wildfire association within Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Klamath Mountains, northern California
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Abstract
Understanding the local to regional history of extreme events such as debris flows and floods provides context to plan for and mitigate these hazards to life, property, and infrastructure. The Klamath Mountains of northwestern California have experienced both debris flows and devastating wildfires. Whiskeytown National Recreation Area (WHIS) is at the heart of this range and has a wealth of debris flow–related landforms. Gaining an understanding of prehistoric flows and their relationship with fire or other potential triggers can help mitigate future problems. Optically stimulated luminescence and radiocarbon analyses from sediment and entrained organics in undisturbed facies, including beneath partially buried boulders, establishes a chronology of paleo-events in WHIS. The levee deposits indicate a repetition of debris flows during the latest Holocene, every 125–150 years, since 850 yr. Larger flows occurred, with a record elucidated from debris-flow deposits along Clear Creek, with Middle Holocene ages, ca. 2600 to 5500 yr, most of which have sufficient concentrations of charcoal to indicate origins as postfire debris flows. Deposits at higher elevations show events from the latest Pleistocene ca. 13,000 yr. This geochronology indicates that these are not singular events but are relatively common and inherent to the geomorphic processes shaping this landscape.
Suggested Citation
Wood, J., Mahan, S.A., East, A.E., Bilderback, E., Krolczyk, E.T., Rasmussen, B.A., Zyatitsky, K.S., Hallas, L.(., 2026, Geochronologic data reveal Late Pleistocene to Holocene debris-flow history and wildfire association within Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Klamath Mountains, northern California: Quaternary Research, 21 p., https://doi.org/10.1017/qua.2025.10064.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Geochronologic data reveal Late Pleistocene to Holocene debris-flow history and wildfire association within Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Klamath Mountains, northern California |
| Series title | Quaternary Research |
| DOI | 10.1017/qua.2025.10064 |
| Edition | Online First |
| Publication Date | February 04, 2026 |
| Year Published | 2026 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| Contributing office(s) | Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center |
| Description | 21 p. |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Other Geospatial | Klamath Mountains, Whiskeytown National Recreation Area |