Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
geologic sanity was so eager to dismiss the idea of a catastrophic flood that he argued that
the elevations of spillways originally cut at different altitudes were now identical due to
subsequent earth movements fortuitously aligning them at precisely the same height. Al-
though no one questioned his observations, every speaker challenged Bretz's interpretation,
pointing out that he had no way to explain how to get so much water so fast. Although this
was a lopsided debate, it was deeply rooted in a long tradition of geologists sparring and
arguing over how to interpret observations. What everyone, including Bretz, could agree
on was that further fieldwork was needed to explain the channeled scablands.
One of those attending the DC ambush was Joe Pardee, a Geological Survey geologist.
Two years before, Pardee wondered whether the scablands could have been carved by cata-
strophic drainage from Lake Missoula, an ancient glacier-dammed lake he had discovered
evidence for in western Montana back in 1910. He wrote to Bretz suggesting this as a
possible source for his Spokane Flood. Bretz ignored him. An account of the DC meeting
relates how during the discussion Pardee confided to a colleague that he knew the origin of
Bretz's flood. But with a career and a reputation to maintain he stayed quiet, unwilling to
upset his boss, who had been the first speaker to challenge Bretz.
