Guidebook to Permafrost and Quaternary Hydrology Along the Richardson and Glenn Highways between Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska
Pewe TL and Reger RD. 1983. Guidebook to Permafrost and Quaternary Hydrology Along the Richardson and Glenn Highways between Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska. Guidebook 1: Fourth International Conference on Permafrost. Alaska Division of Geological And Geophysical Surveys. Fairbanks, AK
Permafrost and marine, fluvial, lacustrine, glacial, eolian, and periglacial deposits of Quaternary age that are widespread in the central and southern parts of Alaska are forming today. Glaciers are common in mountainous areas, and the forces of glacial action that formerly shaped much of the world's land area can be directly observed today in southern Alaska. Geological processes active in cold regions---periglacial processes such as solifluction, cryoplanation, and the formation of permafrost---are known throughout much of the area. Dust is blown from active valley trains and outwash fans and is deposited as loess on the adjacent terrain. Five major areas are considered (fig. 1): a) the middle Tanana River valley, b) the Delta River area of the Alaska Range, including the eastern Denali Highway, c) the Copper River basin, d) the Matanuska Glacier, and e) the upper Cook Inlet region and Matanuska Valley. The middle Tanana River valley is typical of the unglaciated interior of Alaska, with its extensive eolian deposits, widespread perennially frozen ground, and silt-choked glacial streams near major moraines. The Delta River area of the Alaska Range and the Denali Highway are characterized by numerous glaciers and deposits that record more extensive glaciation in the past. The Copper River basin has an interesting record of alternating glacial and lacustrine deposits. Lake deposits are perennially frozen and present serious problems to utilization by man. In the upper Cook Inlet region and Matanuska Valley---including the Matanuska Glacier---extensive evidence of multiple glaciation and numerous landslides generated by the Good Friday Earthquake of March 27, 1964, are present. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System parallels the highway for 300 mi (483 km) through the three northernmost areas covered by this guidebook.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Pewe, T; Reger, R
- Date of Issue
- 1983
- Publisher
- Alaska Division of Geological And Geophysical Surveys
- Units
- CAKN , DENA , WRST , YUCH
- Keywords
- Alaska, Alaska Range, Copper River Basin, Delta River area, Geology, Geomorphology, Glaciers, interglaciations, Matanuska Glacier, MAtanuska Valley, Middle Tana River Valley, Permafrost, quaternary geology, Subarctic, Upper Cook Inlet