Idaho's "Sinking Canyon" and the impressive Bluegill Slide of 1998-2004
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- Опубліковано 24 лис 2022
- Journey to the "Sinking Canyon" section of Salmon Falls Creek canyon in southern Idaho with geology professor Shawn Willsey. Here, we examine the dramatic Bluegill Slide, a rotational slide or slump that primarily moved from 1998 through about 2004. This impressive mass wasting feature displays a massive head scarp, tension fractures, rockfall zones, and more. We will start viewing the slide from the west, across the canyon, and then head onto the area just above the slide before finally journeying onto the slump itself to observe these impressive features.
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Twin Falls, ID 83303 - Наука та технологія
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⚠️ Dad Joke ahead ⚠️ “…terra firma that’s not so firma”
LOL! 👏🏻😆
Good joke. Thank you.
I don't get it.
A fascinating location. Thank you for explaining this. Here in the Wenatchee Valley, there is a location that started slumping on the side of the Wenatchee Heights. There was a big fuss over it for a couple of years. Houses built about halfway to the top of what looks to me to be a very old slump slide. The yards and road up the mountain began cracking and moving a bit. The county had it inspected. They decided that it was no longer moving. They are still allowing the people to live there. In college, I took 18 credits of Geography in Ellensburg. The professors pointed out and explained slump slides in that valley. It was stated that ground water is a factor. The area in Wenatchee is below the huge area of irritating for fruit orchards. It was very interesting in this video to see recent sliding. Thanks for this video.
Awesome info to accompany this video, @Anne5440_ !
"irritating for fruit orchards" = typo/autocorrect of the week. 😂
If you look on google earth, there's what looks to be a somewhat older slide section about 2000 feet north of this slide as well. I really enjoy these videos that show that geological processes are something that is continuously happening, not just something that happened some indistinct time in the past.
Yes, the older slide to the north (and another further south) were what led this to be called "Sinking Canyon" by locals.
I live a couple miles away! I checked this place out 2 years ago. It has definitely moved more since! Ground water runs from the side out towards the salmon creek.
There is also geothermal occurrences in that area. One I found a year ago seems to be a new one.
If you go to balance rock park on the other side of the road(private property) inbetween the old pump house and the right top corner before the canyon wall. There is a spring of hot geothermal water. Different type of gravel which is red and just in that small spot.
Thanks for these fascinating videos, Shawn. I appreciate all the time and effort that goes into making these. Very interesting and a pleasure to watch.
Well, of course, Shawn needs to keep himself fit to wrangle his students through long terms of up skilling (which I suppose encouraged his rock climbing - scaling the many slopes towards higher knowledge).
Do be careful. Looks like a place only want to fly over. Unbelievable what's going on in such a short amount of time. 😳
First 25 years of my life in southern Idaho and acutely interested in geology and yet I missed so much. Thank you, makes me want to go back and just hike these areas, Could almost smell the sagebrush and feel the poke of dried junegrass seeds against my ankles. I'm a bit old now though.
Dramatic example of landslide thank You again!
I trust your judgement regarding walking up to the edge of the cliff. It still makes my toes tingle! 😁 Thanks for sharing this amazing place.
Makes my stomach clench, my knees knock, and chills go down my spine!
As a lifelong climber, I feel very confident at the Bluegill Slide. Plus, the camera/selfie stick always makes it look spicier than it really is. Dramatic effect!
I've come to realize that the "fear of heights" really isn't a fear of heights...it's a "fear of falling from heights".
I have no proof (No one will admit to it. LOL!) but I think my brother dropped me when I was a baby.
❤🔨❤🇺🇸What more could I say about this brave and smart professor Sham? Nothing. He is the best in all he has done about Geology. Thank you teacher once more time for this fenomenal job. God bless you in all.🔨🇺🇸👍🙋📙
Wow, this was just a fascinating video. Very well explained too. Even for a layman cum auto didact like myself. I'd never know about this, or be able to appreciate it without Shawn having put so much effort into making and posting this video. So thankful.
Super cool. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Great video.
Thanks Shawn. Well done. Thoroughly enjoyed it and your other videos. Wish I could role back the clock 45 years and taken your classes…I might have become a geologist instead of an engineer. Again Thanks!!
Hello from Maine! I’m in a graduate program in Trauma Informed Emergency Management at UMaine Augusta. This semester we are learning about natural hazards. Thanks for the field trip is mass wasting!
Significant geological movement in the eye-blink span of 15 years is mind-boggling. Fascinating place I wouldn't have even known about. Thanks.
Ha ha, don't make me angry by panning too fast, Shawn. Another crazy good video sir! Appreciate the explanation of the likely factors involved in these ground movements. 10 cm per month or 120 cm per year seems significant enough to me.
great video. I had to take a TUMs before it was all over. I learned. It made me wonder about the huge chunk of cliff that fell at lake Whitney, but looking at that aerial after watching your video made me think that the entire "hill" was slowly rotating into the lake, probably for some similar reason of a weaker plane eroding away under the huge limestone cap. Thanks for making this video.
Wonderful video Shawn - thank you! This may be my favorite one so far. It is amazing to realize just how quickly a major landscape change can take place when a landslide is involved.
I agree, one of your best!
Thanks for the kind words and glad you enjoyed it.
Great video,
For those of use who can't get out it's especially welcome to be taken on the geological walking tour.
More so when I've no chance ever of visiting the USA
Many thanks!
I grew up in Twin and was always fascinated by the geography. I’m enjoying the education, as revisiting the area vicariously.
Super interesting. Your explanation of this event is clear and easy to follow. Amazing processes and nice looking country also. Thank you for the outing.
I just found these videos, I love them! Always been a bit of a rock hound, and am learning a lot. Thank you!
This is such an exciting video. I was out exploring this area recently and it was a phenomenal experience. Finding this in depth explanation of this geological wonder makes it even better!
From Google Earth you can really see the scale of the irrigated crops and the effect of the drainage causing or accelerating the slides. Another great field class!
Thank you for taking the time to show us these geological formations. The Earth is fascinating and a pleasure to see. It’s better when you have an idea of what you are seeing.
That was really cool! Thank you so much for this excellent video! ❤
Thank you Shawn, this program was awesome. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Shawn! Your videos are, as always, great!
Glad you like them!
As someone from another part of the world, southern England, I am fascinated by the geography and geology of the USA. Your presentations are informative and interesting and have watched your videos with fascination. Some slow pans of the surrounding scenery would be good too. Thanks for uploading and the clear explanations
Thanks for watching and learning with me.
enjoy these videos more than I thought I would.
I have hiked and sport climbed for over 50 years in Southern Arizona, and I have to say based on my experiences some of your locations were sketchy and your confidence level may have been too high. Tough to say without being there. Be safe. I know you are an experienced climber and in your line of work you have to be fearless. Thank you for showing us this. Between you and Nick Z I feel like I have a strong understanding of eastern Washington/Idaho. Beautiful land.
Hi Shawn, So far, this is one of your best videos! Fantastic Slide Formation. Perfect Presentation.
Hey, thanks for the compliment. Glad you enjoyed it.
LOVE this sort of information, thank you
Impressively detailed and explained. Clarity of the videos is excellent. Thank you for posting. I felt that I was wandering through the slide myself. I look forward to following your adventures.
Thanks and welcome aboard. Remember I am a geologist and educator first, and a very crudely developing videographer second.
Thank you Shawn, you always have interesting content presented very well, I really enjoy them
I appreciate that!
A very good illustration of successional transformation.....Nature at work, and how our efforts to make change, are absorbed, and altered to fit Mother Nature...Wonderful Video. Thank You.
Awesome! I can apply what I've learned here to many features I've noticed here in Central Oregon, especially crooked river canyon!This video made me smarter!Thank you!
Win win.
Thank you so much. All the best,
Born and raised and still living in Southern Idaho and have never heard of the Sinking Blue Gill! Thanks for sharing very interesting. Love the videos keep em coming!
Awesome Wow! Crazy its happening right before our eyes. Thank you for sharing. Going there for sure will be part of some adventure one day. Thanks!
Cool. Idaho sure rocks and rolls. There is lots of interesting stuff going on down there along the snake with the history of yellowstone.
Thanks for the tour
Thank you so much shawn for bringing us this interesting and valuable knowledge 🙏
My pleasure!
Fascinating content!!!! Ty from NH♥️
I'm a lifelong Idahoan, lived in Southern Idaho for the first 23+ years of my life and I never knew this existed! Thank you for the video, Shawn.
Early in my career at CSI, I had a student from Buhl who told me about this place and had me intrigued.
@@shawnwillsey CSI is a great college, I'm an alumni and one of my best high school friend is the Dean of Communication, Chris Bragg
Some interesting places over there. Thank you for sharing and this very educational video.
Just found your UA-cam channel...!!!.. Love your videos...!!! Love learning about Idaho's geography..!!!
Thanks Shawn, excellent video
Thanks for this awesome video, Shawn. There are similar, albeit older, landslides in many canyons within central Arizona.
Such a cool thing to see. Reminds me of places where people have built homes too close to the edge near a river.
After which a tremendous rainfall then tragedy ensued.
Thank you for the detailed history lesson. Interesting to say the least!!
Oh, Shawn, my heart was in my throat as you navigated the holes and fractures! (Knew there would be trouble when you ignored the fence up top.) Had to keep reminding myself that the camera was extended beyond your feet. But what amazing terrain and geological history in this area. Great field trip!
These videos are so interesting, thank you. I have no plans to go back to school, so degrees in geology are out, but I always crave something a little more localized and specific than what documentaries can provide. Thanks!
Awesome. I like geology and traveled to a lot of places. Never made it to bluegil. Thanks
Thanks Shawn!
I ❤ your geology videos prof. Willsey especially those in the field. Dr. Riazi from Tehran
Glad you like them!
Nice hike with good explanations.
Very cool and a cliffhanger to boot..
Kind of scary! Thanks Shawn!! ❤❤ watched two times
Very interesting. Thank you.
That lake will lubricate the footing nicely! Very interesting location. Nicely explained...
thanks Shawn love your content
Glad you enjoy it!
This is amazing.
Amazing! Geology in Motion.
Thank you for sharing the beauty of the world 🌎 stunning views - your Blessed to be among the rocks and earth - sending you and yours positive energy from Sunny Florida 🌞🌞🌞thanks for a truly educational video
just finished Mike Cothern's book which was really enjoyable and it led me to your cool video. our community is lucky to have you around
Hey Patrick. Thanks so much.
Thanks
Thank you. I enjoyed your video.
So glad!
Absolutely remarkable.
This was so fun and interesting! (Do I say that every time?!?) We are lucky you love to teach, you do a super job. That it's recent movement is especially cool. Bruce Bjornstad's videos of the Hanford Reach slump point back to irrigation and groundwater runoff, too. Thanks, Shawn.
I never tire of hearing you say it, Rachel. Thanks for the continued positivity and good vibes.
A fascinating place. Would love to go exploring. I haven't been to Idaho since 1991.
Very informative nice job
This is so interesting!
Great video
Great work, thank you. "Terra firma that's not so firma." Love it as someone who grew up in Idaho during the 50s-70s and spent a lot of time around Mountain Home, Glenn's Ferry, and the Owyhees. I would enjoy a Malad Gorge video in the future. I've driven over it a thousand times over the decades and finally turned off the interstate in the fall this year. They have detailed interpretive signs along the driving tour. I'll drive up to Bluegill Slide in the Spring.
Yes. Malad Gorge is on my list.
Another amazing educational informative video ..............Thanks Shawn ...............281 like .... so much effort on your part .......
That was cool!
Got the vertigo when you xd the bridge
Thanks!
Nice but glad I played on 2x. Thanks for the share
I live in Idaho. Never knew this. Thanks for the lesson. I live near "Hell's Half Acre". I'm sure you're aware of the area. Thanks, again.
Next best thing to being there, well planned and executed tour. I figure UA-cam recommend you to me because I'm a part-time Zent-nerd.
Great video, it would be interesting if you could get updated information from the USGS on the current movement. Thanks for the informative video.
I put out some feelers to some colleagues who can check and see if it is currently being monitored.
Feel like I’ve attended the most informational class ever - you have a wonderful speaking voice - makes it easy to learn , thank you for sharing your knowledge , just stunned - I found your channel threw UA-cam recommendations- your a kind human for sharing your intelligence with others for free , some of us can’t afford university 📚thanks for all you do to share with others 🗿🪨🌋🌵🏜️🌞🐎📚👨🏫🦖🦕
Glad it was helpful!
Very cool.
Very interesting
And it's still amazes me seeing this slide you're walking around even though when I was a kid we got to see big landslides too I can understand why you like it so much there as you get older you'll see more then just that slide you'll see a lot of other things in the landscape..... You know I lived in Missoula Montana and studied lake Missoula I actually found where the real structures of the dam sat that held back lake Missoula the foundations of the dams are still there in places...... It was a big damn that held back lake Missoula and I got to drive through the spillware area and I got to see the damn footings on both sides of the canyon miles away from Missoula it held back a lot of water............. Truly amazing
❤❤❤❤that's so cool!!❤❤❤❤
Home sweet home! Finished my PADI certification just a few miles from there.
super interesting and can't wait to get there- but Sand Butte south of Preacher bridge off HWY 93 west of Carey and east of Richfield is super interesting- I took me two years and 4 attempts to get to it.
That's some pretty rough ground....what they called "badlands" in the old days? Beautiful....
How did the gravel layer form? It's hard to believe how far that has dropped in 25 years. Amazing.
Gravel layer above basalt is the Tuana Gravel and thought to be stream deposits from ancestral Salmon Falls Creek.
@@shawnwillsey The time it would take to lay down that layer over such a huge area is mindboggling. Thanks so much for taking the time to explain that.
Hey chief, watch your step on terra-not-so-firma! We’ve all grown accustomed to these field reports. Hate to suffer a disruption on a misstep!😂Great stuff as usual. Thanks.
Thanks for the concern. I've visited this site several times, even with students, so I feel OK there.
You are doing really great work; Thank You a little pocket money is on its way. Glad I ran into you when looking at Blacktail Canyon Great Unconformity. Hello from Arizona
Much appreciated. Thanks for your support.
@@shawnwillsey Good you are around. After seeing you in real time am impressed. I have rock collections no index just in boxes. After watching you show different types of conglomerates of Echo Canyon bring to mind some of my conglomerate rocks. I think they may be important to keep some place. Most are 1/2 size of football. They have been aluvial at some point. Now smooth with lots of rocks inside are rounded and some fragmented. If you are interested in seeing them will take the time to spray with water and photograph them. I am an Arizona Native at 82 years. My Dads brother wanted me to help with finding Lost Dutchman Mine. He even made a divining rod with gold nugget on the end. Well taken up enough of your time. Let me know what you think about river run conglomerates. Thank for your time. Bye
outstanding--my reclusive retreat is the Owyhee county creek drainages. in 50 years I have found endless treasures ---from Oregon to the highway to jackpot and in the north near Homedale to the Nevada boarder is heaven. Sinners welcome to the chapel of the ineffable force of the universe. Would be wonderful to hear the geological specifics on Balance Rock.
ME WHY
*thank you.*
*Let the Sunshine In...*
Is the Sinking Canyon at the northern tip of the Basin and Range Province? It's clear from G. Maps that it's on the southern edge of the Snake River Plain, itself an artifact of the Yellowstone Hot Spot. If the Canyon is within the Province one might speculate that the long term crustal thinning process would contribute to the creation of these landslides and escarpments.
Thanks for this great video tour. Be safe!
From what I've seen of the topography of the Snake River basin (while on a vacation trip to Craters of the Moon) is that the aquafier in this region is very high. Now you say that there was a large lake over this area eons ago. The slumping of this land mass makes sense then, noting the make up of the soil layers also. The entire area looks to be pretty unstable. (glad you noted staying away from the edges). Too many edges to take my grandkids to view...ha,ha. As you walked , I see some shear areas on the side walls. What was that material makeup? Clay mix? (would have liked to seen that up closer). But, thank you for this interesting "adventure".
“Humicky and hilly” dang that’s an interesting description 😂
Yes, I've had my adventures somewhat like this, though mine were on the top of an abandoned gravel pit and the broken lands amounted to perhaps 30 by 40 feet and the greatest crevasse perhaps 4" wide but week to week you could make out progressive movements so maybe a useful model if seriously studied (one additional commonality were some rock doves/pigeons taking advantage of some slight protection offered).
A further thought about the doves: sometimes when I go into my front or back yard the mourning dove family (in joint custody of the premises) startled by my appearance will bolt out up into the air maybe six or so at a time - that can then really startle me in turn if I'm preoccupied. I wonder how many rock climbers experience a slip fall (usually minor) induced by a flushed covey of our bird friends.