Glacial Lake Missoula

Glacial Lake Missoula was the source of much of the water for the famous Ice Age Floods of the Pacific Northwest. Featured field evidence for the lake include strandlines above Missoula, Montana, giant current ripples at Camas Prairie, and striking rhythmites along Interstate 90 at Nine Mile Road near Missoula.
Tom Foster (HUGEfloods.com) and Nick Zentner (Central Washington University) have been hiking together in Washington for years. This ’Glacial Lake Missoula’ episode stands alone, in addition to their popular ‘I-90 Rocks’ and ‘2 Minute Geology’ video series.

[@alessandrapirelli7040]

He is exactly the kind of educator that can effectively motivate the next generation of scientist.

[@Max-kn9yi]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJbOlp2jhrCZhKs

[@garynorris4648]

Superb geology educator. A wonderful series. To bad there aren't ten of him!

[@Ellensburg44]

+Gary Norris Thanks Gary. At times, my wife wishes there was less than one of me.

[@leggiemeggie5837]

Nick Zentner I have been watching all your lectures and I have to agree! You truly are a wonderful educator! Just the right amount of comedy and facts 😆👍😁

[@solsticemeows]

Biology.

[@danothemano4129]

It just doesn't get any better than this! Thank you sir for sharing your knowledge and experiences!

[@Ellensburg44]

Thanks man!

This is such a wonderful series. I've lived all my life in the Pacific Northwest and your stories as to how it was created over millions of years is fascinating and rich with details, speculation, answers and questions. Thank you!

[@Max-kn9yi]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJbOlp2jhrCZhKs

[@evilcam]

RIP Tom Foster 1959 - 2020

[@TheAgTeam]

No better way to spend a Friday evening inside whilst covid runs rampant, than to enjoyably explore geology with the venerable Nick Zentner 🙂

[@ianabarnes]

I'm watching this on Friday night two years later, quarantined with a nasty case of COVID. At least I'm learning something!

[@jcweatherdotnet4747]

Absolutely fascinating. It’s utterly amazing that we are able to figure all the stuff out. Thank you for your hard work and for making mankind just a little smarter. Actually a whole lot smarter. I live in upstate New York I understand we have a fascinating geologic history in this area. I wish we had someone like you here in Central New York with a passion for geology as great as yours. If you haven’t done so you have to visit the finger Lakes you will not be disappointed. Thank you again.

[@howardwhite1507]

I love this guy... he tells it like it is... just the facts and the best guesses... no inflated ego, no crazy aliens did it crap.... he is what a thinking man should be....

[@Ellensburg44]

Memorable comment, Howard. Thank you!

[@Ivan99705]

I agree with you 100%.

[@normdeeploom5945]

So glad I came across this gentleman a few years ago. He broke my bad habit of listening to another fella who spent half the time poo pooing and misrepresenting the “mainstream” geologists.

[@TouchedProductions]

but it was aliens tho

[@kylejervis3344]

@@normdeeploom5945 who was it?

[@RobMacKendrick]

Dr. Zentner reminds me very much of my own profs at Western, ca. 1980 CE. His videos are simultaneously highly informative and very nostalgic. Thanks, Dr. Z!

[@Jasper-iu3pv]

That scenery at the start of the video is absolutely beautiful. Must be a wonderful campus too!

[@Ellensburg44]

+Jasper Yes, the University of Montana is a special place.

[@useruser400]

This is such a geologically active part of the world and Nick does a great job explaining the complexities of it. I learned about the great Missoula flood years ago. But when Nick said it didn’t happen once, but rather, several or even a hundred times, I sat stunned. I had never heard that before - or even dreamed to be possible. It amazes me that the glacier could create the dam and then fail repeatedly to create such a massive and devastating floods. Nature is crazy. Imagine being close enough to witness one of those floods and survive to tell the tale. No one can comprehend 1,000 feet of water flowing through a breech like that.

[@gabrielford3473]

You do an absolutely fantastic job of making this information accessible to anyone willing to listen. Thank you so much.

[@haroldwilkes598]

While living in Idaho, I became fascinated by the flood results and spent several summers driving/walking them. Camas Prairie ripples and water levels at Missoula are almost unbelievable to see. Great video. J Harlen Bretz deserves a monument.

[@IntheeyesofMorbo]

great presentation. i first learned about this in college as a Geology Major in the late 80s and wanted to refresh my memory. My instructor at that time had just visited the area on a trip so had a great presentation of his own at that time.

[@MarkHitsTheRoad]

The Ice Age Floods was a cool geological story to learn about. When I moved to Seattle in 2002, the scablands along the highway caught my eye. Looking for information about them was my introduction to the floods. My first road trip long weekend out of Seattle a few months later took me to Missoula and the Camas Prairie, and I visited a number of flood related sites across the region over the years before I finally moved away. Just discovered your series of related videos and have started working my way through them. I appreciate your videos and your explanations.

[@Ellensburg44]

+MarkHitsTheRoad Glad our videos have been helpful, Mark. Thanks.

[@aliminhassadwal]

7 YEAR AGO ! Man we miss you, keep posting your research and enlighten us with it please.

[@susansmart8086]

Finally, information about the layers seen from I-90 near Nine Mile Road!! i go past here on vacations/trips at least once a year and haven’t been able to find much out about them. And so, so cool to see the varves-not visible from the Interstate, especially at Interstate speeds.

[@imaguygolfn]

I live in Eastern Washington. You don't have rub many brain cells together when you drive through the middle of the state to realise that something violent had happened. It can't be overstated. House sized boulders scattered across farm lands, like tombstones of the disaster. It's hard to visualise the power and amazing earth shaking craziness that obviously happened.

[@KoonceTodd]

Love these videos. You've inspired me to take a trip to the Erratic Rock site here in Oregon this summer. It is amazing the history you drive by your whole life without even thinking about it.

[@weedandwine]

Thank-you for taking the time to make these videos. They help me conceptualize all that happened around here (Washington). I run an excavator occasionally and do some hiking your videos help me know what I'm looking at when were out and about. I've seen that tusk that was donated to the Burke by the developer, it's still in a room covered in plaster drying out.

[@Ellensburg44]

+weedandwine Great to hear that our videos are helpful to you at work and play. Looking forward to seeing that tusk someday. Thanks for the comments.

[@jimagnew767]

This also came to mind, I was once digging up on flattop mountain and a about 2 or 3 feet under ground was solid sandstone, I had been digging up many trees ,for a pasture, that night I camped out on the mountain, so I could save my motel money, the moon was Farley bright, later on that night I got up to stoke the fire, and as I looked Across where I had been working, the ground was glowing, I went over and on the ground, roots were glowing , some of them were as big as your arm, I picked one up, and bent over to where the moon was behind me, it was bright enough to maybe read a newspaper with, so I picked up a few of them, and put some in a paper sack, and one big one

[@Nangleator22]

and...?

[@paulbriggs3072]

That was glowing fungus you saw.I saw the same in a black night in New York State.

[@adrianqx]

Wow !!Can only imagine the sight and sound of the drainings !

[@keeganh4771]

This guys is the greatest. Thanks for all the amazing videos!!

[@Ellensburg44]

Keegan H Thanks for watching our stuff, Keegan.

[@Iamyobrotha]

Enjoyed the narration and graphics, thank you.

[@filipbujaroski9221]

Such awesome work. Thank you so much

[@kurtpreston4019]

Thank you so much for these videos Tom and Nick! You guys are presenting the fascinating geologic history of the area in a highly entertaining manner.

[@Ellensburg44]

Thanks much for the comments, Kurt. We enjoy making these.

[@joshstamp1666]

This is one of the best shows on KZbin, thanks for all the effort you put into these vids I don't know a thing about geology barely got taught it in school so it's interesting to learn all these things - cheers again Tom & Nick :)

[@Ellensburg44]

Really appreciate your comments. Thanks.

[@mrtommypickles8635]

Six years since a video upload. I hope you're still with us. We don't need an other video, just a sign you're still alive.

[@ped832]

It's interesting to note that without these catastrophic events from the past, we wouldn't have modern highways. Not because they carved easy paths, in some cases, but because they created the raw materials we use to create highways. If you have a gravel pit near you, you now know why. This stuff fascinates me.

[@MonkasHoode]

Your enthusiasm and care for the topic is infectious. Great educational video

[@terrydavis9311]

Great job of putting this vid together. We are getting ready to go see it next month.

[@powaybob45]

I have recently moved to Hayden, Idaho for retirement. I have a life long interest in geology so I have begun reading about the region . I am now reading Bjornstad's book on the Glacial Floods, with two or three others in the bedside pile to read. Your video is a great visualization of what happened on the deep water end (vice the scabland end) of the floods and is quite illuminating. We drove north from San Diego to our new home, and west across I-90 just six weeks ago and I really wish I had seen the video before hand to appreciate the road cuts along the way. Great video- well done!

[@Ellensburg44]

Nice to read your comments. Thanks and congrats on retirement.

[@wayneclark3020]

This is excellent. Has all the stuff History channel missed in their ice age flood doc.

[@WildwoodClaire1]

i was just wondering yesterday when you'd be uploading a new video. Excellent!

[@Ellensburg44]

WildwoodClaire1 Thanks Claire. We've been having fun making these this spring.

[@vibrant151]

+WildwoodClaire1 Thank you for introducing me to this channel. On a side note: There's got to be a pocket of gold in there somewhere.

[@AnonYmous-nh7if]

This is such fantastic content.

[@evbbjones7]

You are a local state treasure sir. Love your content. Really helps me grasp this concept.

[@snowpdx]

These videos are fantastic. Thanks for making them!

[@Ellensburg44]

+snowpdx Appreciate you leaving a comment. Thanks.

[@Cinnemax77]

Excellent video ty!!

[@dorianleclair7390]

I am always blown away of the power these floods had. I live in Willamette Valley. I have seen the evidence of these floods here.

[@PlayNowWorkLater]

He is easily becoming my go-to educator for questions I get in my learning about all these amazing geological events. So interesting. And he’s still presenting. Has his own channel now. Great stuff!

[@earthwatchetcetera3581]

I will be sharing this every place I can, I can watch these over and over, I am sure others will too. The long and short compliment each other.

[@Ellensburg44]

Earthwatch Etcetera Very kind of you. Thanks much.

[@psjasker]

The most interesting 19 minutes of content I have watched in a long time!

[@d.g.rohrig4063]

Not only a fine geologist but an excellent story teller!

[@tikitiki7610]

thank you, Mr. Zentner. you are a great teacher

[@StaticTremor]

These are absolutely brilliant. Hope we get more one day.

[@CODENAMEDERPY]

This is super informative and very well made. Thank you!

[@gregoryfox7551]

This never ceases to amaze.

[@TattooedEagle]

I've been looking at the lake level lines, since a little kid. I remember telling dad that there must have been a really big lake before Flathead Lake. Interesting video.

[@phuang3]

This is indeed a very nice video. I live in far eastern and I am still fascinated by the story of Lake Missoula.

[@olechuga2]

Excellent report, very informative indeed. Thank you Mr. Zentner, for your hard work in producing these types of videos.

[@Ellensburg44]

Thanks Oscar. These videos at hugefloods.com are all the work of Tom Foster.

[@williamhager1872]

Excellent presentation!

[@Elephantine999]

Just so cool. Fascinating. Who says geology is boring?

[@Ivan99705]

I found it very interesting and very informative. Thank you for putting this together and thanks for sharing it. When I worked in Hawthorne, NV, I was amazed at the expanse of ancient Lake Lahontan; its strandlines were visible almost everywhere, from Hawthorne north to Fallon and from Hawthorne west and then north into Reno the "back way" up Hwy 95.

[@user-fx8ye7nd7i]

RIP Tom, you are missed!

[@indyme2]

Awesome video. More please.

[@ozoneswiftak]

Super easy to understand. Thanks

[@grandparocky]

GREAT WORK HERE!

[@timothysmirnov]

Just stumbled upon your videos today, you truly have a gift for teaching . :) Thank you for releasing these!

[@Ellensburg44]

We enjoyed making these. Thank you.

[@jamessmelcer616]

I am really glad I watched,awesome job sir! I have been fascinated by the thought of these floods for several decades. Your take is spot on I think. Excellent presentation thank you for sharing your expertise and knowledge! Jim

[@niboooo]

Another great video, very interesting, thanks.

[@Ellensburg44]

TheGingernutjob Thanks for watching, Nut Job!

[@hiramlofton9464]

Dear Nick: I live in South Georgia. Albany is just 60 miles north of Florida. Thanks for the videos. I have learned quite a bit.

[@tomtateson8660]

thanks again nick a nice break from my petrology

[@josephreiser3609]

Bravo. Sensational clarity and super-dedication to an event so long ago misunderstood. Excellent video.

[@Ellensburg44]

Very nice comment, Joseph. Thank you!

[@FredHerrman]

That was really great. 👍

[@gbro8822]

Outstanding, thank you. I would love to see a video with Nick and Randall Carlson.

[@sheckyfeinstein]

Thanks. I learned a lot.

[@buckfuttler2877]

great watch. much better quality than most tv shows. you deserve a raise!

[@Ellensburg44]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks.

[@lancewilson5077]

Another outstanding video on one of my favorite geological features in the Great Pacific Northwest. I have actually stood where you have at the National Bison Refuge, both in my own quest to understand the size and scale of Lake Missoula and to appreciate the buffaloes (and other wildlife) that dominate the refuge. I knew then, there were a few places I had missed, which you showed in this video, Your video did nicely to fill in some of those gaps. Thank you for sharing. Do have a bibliography for this video? I am always looking for new articles on Missoula and the floods.

[@Ellensburg44]

Lance Wilson Thanks for the feedback, Lance. Send me an email and I'll send you some of the new scientific papers that we used to make this program.

[@bazpearce9993]

Wonderful! Ice age geology is amazing. Plenty of it here in Northern England where i live.

[@kayleenserene1058]

Who’s I’ve been watching you for years praying you’d get visual. Yeah. Wonderful video.

[@rapidcabin]

I stood at the ice dam marker last year and imagined it filled with Lake Missoula, your picture at :54 is what I "saw". I stood there in awe wanting to know more. Then you create this video, thank you very much for all the effort you put forth to share this information.

[@Ellensburg44]

Wenatchee Flyer Great to hear you made it up to that marker which shows the high water mark of the lake above Missoula. Pleased to hear that our video worked for you.

[@Squaredzen]

Love your enthusiasm for the subject, and how you point out how little we can be certain about

[@Ellensburg44]

Thanks. Important to show the data that we have - and how more data is needed to fully realize what happened long ago.

[@erikpeterson25]

Fascinating history..thx

[@brianvittachi6869]

Thank you for another fascinating lesson.

[@Ellensburg44]

Thanks Brian.

[@larrymeister3089]

I've been enjoying your videos since I stumbled upon them recently. Living on the Palouse and being an amateur history buff I've traveled, read about, and explored many of the great floods signatures left to us as Dr. Bretz first realized. Unlike some other geological events that have occurred, these abrasions on the landscape are relatively recent and are quite apparent in the scablands of Washington. Keep up the fantastic work Nick, and Thank you!

[@Ellensburg44]

+Larry Meister Thanks for the encouragement, Larry. You live in a very interesting place.

[@swimbait1]

So much time, so much change, it’s overwhelming.

[@Ellensburg44]

Agree!

[@gkarjala]

This vid is cool. Thx buddy.

[@earthwatchetcetera3581]

Superb Works!

[@Ellensburg44]

Earthwatch Etcetera Thanks!

[@ivarhusa454]

Great episode!

[@Ellensburg44]

Thanks Ivar.

[@Alex-ve8uq]

Excellent vid👌🏻

[@mrwaldoful]

great video

[@davidsradioroom9678]

Very interesting!

[@bdrichardson403]

Thank you Nick. You do the best delivery and have just the right amount of enthusiasm...you're the best. (Have you done any studies/lectures on the Olympic Peninsula? I'd love to know more abt it and no one better than you to tell it).

[@Ellensburg44]

Thanks for the compliment. Nothing yet on the specifics of the peninsula, but check out the Silietzia discussion in the 'Liberty Gold and the Yellowstone Hot Spot' lecture that we did a couple of years ago.

[@toddbrown9457]

Watched your videos with much interest. There is a lot of information packed into them and some I think I'll be able to remember. I am always interested in the geologic history of my familiar living area and its geologic makeup. It's amazing to me that this data can be brought out with careful and painstaking study. Thank you for putting these videos together.

[@Ellensburg44]

Thanks for the nice comments, Todd.

[@Classifiedreality]

Great vid....👍👍Any updates?🤔🤔

[@royledford5673]

This Geology is so fascinating!! I think I missed my life's calling but its a great retirement hobby to study : )

[@Rabimmel123]

These videos are great. keep it up!

[@Ellensburg44]

Rabimmel123 Appreciate your encouragement. Thanks.

[@donaldpowers5557]

Nick Zentner Nick that was a very enlightening video I MIGHT that the top layer of must or silt deposits, this would be my question how deep might of the water of been ....the water level had to be above the layers.....not much volume of water. over and over the water backed up to above like you mentioned maybe hundreds of times so many videos so little time thanks for you postings

[@wdsperry3500]

Nick Zentner hi I might be late on this vid I am a young boy who has a very big interest in paleontology I would like to star learning a bit about geology do you have any feedback where to start or something to help me thanks

[@susannerenner6464]

Fabulous!!!

[@robertariley3910]

I Love this video- brings back great memories of a geology trip we did to the Columbia Plateau.

[@Ellensburg44]

Thanks for watching, Roberta.

[@robertariley3910]

Will you be doing any more videos?

[@Ellensburg44]

Tom is busy with other projects. Hope he returns to make more of these.

[@momipalmieri3403]

Awesome information. Mahalo for your teaching.

[@Ellensburg44]

+Momi Palmieri Thanks for the nice comments.

[@farmerdave7965]

I came to love geology due to my geology teacher, the legendary Richard Kennedy.

[@rogerscottcathey]

Beautiful campus. Lonely looking.

[@jasonfaulkner8644]

The other thinking for highest-oldest lowest-youngest being the rule from strand lines ... each time the ice sheet grew back to block the escape route into Idaho, the ice was less solid and easier to bust through than the previous time.

[@swirvinbirds1971]

And what we are probably seeing is only the final fill and drain series.

[@dalor4906]

We're the ice melts themselves episodic? Sun cycles, earth tilt, etc. One of the best of his fantastic videos.

[@rosemariemann1719]

Loved this video : SO interesting ! 😊. So clearly explained : even a comparitive newcomer to the whole fascinating subject of Geology is drawn in , wanting to learn more. The "Prof'" says, "I love you, and goodbye". I would bet most viewers love you too, Professor. Your friendly, direct style is very appealing, like a friend telling you interesting news.🙂. Wish all teachers could have your amiable personality : education levels would soar ! 😊⛏️. 🇬🇧💕🇺🇲⛏️🌎😊⛏️🇺🇲

[@hueyh9773]

Very interesting I like a lot great information thank you.

[@WildBill541]

I don’t know what happened to you or if you still check here. I’ve worked on top of a hill removing river rock hundreds of feet above the Willamette River outside of Eugene, OR. I would love to see you do a video out here and get your opinion on how this happened. I was young at the time, but even then it stumped me on how all this River rock got on top of this hill. Thank you

[@keithtaylor6069]

I really wish you were down here in Southeastern Arizona to look at some of the structures and things here,

[@HeartlandTuber]

Thanks to KZbin for surfacing your channel in my recommendations. You are such a clear lecturer and presenter of data. Outstanding overview of Glacial Lake Missoula and recent geological history.

[@MIKEKELLEY12000]

Wow, Mr. Zentner is an amazing professor. Great video.

[@Ellensburg44]

Thanks Mike!