GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE VALLEY OF THE LITTLE COLORADO RIVER, ARIZONA

Abstract

Research Article| April 01, 1948 GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE VALLEY OF THE LITTLE COLORADO RIVER, ARIZONA ORLO E CHILDS ORLO E CHILDS COLGATE UNIVERSITY, HAMILTON, N. Y. Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information ORLO E CHILDS COLGATE UNIVERSITY, HAMILTON, N. Y. Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 27 Jun 1946 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 Copyright © 1948, The Geological Society of America, Inc. Copyright is not claimed on any material prepared by U.S. government employees within the scope of their employment. GSA Bulletin (1948) 59 (4): 353–388. https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1948)59[353:GOTVOT]2.0.CO;2 Article history Received: 27 Jun 1946 First Online: 02 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation ORLO E CHILDS; GEOMORPHOLOGY OF THE VALLEY OF THE LITTLE COLORADO RIVER, ARIZONA. GSA Bulletin 1948;; 59 (4): 353–388. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1948)59[353:GOTVOT]2.0.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract The Little Colorado River, a tributary from the southeast, empties into the Colorado River at the head of the Grand Canyon. It drains an extensive desert area in northeastern Arizona. Upstream from a gorge 60 miles long in the Marble Platform it flows in a broad valley which is the subject of the present study. The stratigraphy, structure, and volcanic rocks are summarized in a geologic map as a basis for the geomorphic study.Three successive erosion surfaces are, from highest to lowest, the Black Point pediplane, the Wupatki pediplane, and the Little Colorado pediplane. Each is interpreted as having formed during a period of stability of the profile of the Little Colorado River. It is concluded that the Black Point and Wupatki pediplanes represent the culmination of long periods of erosion, each interrupted and rejuvenated by regional uplift. During the formation of the present Little Colorado pediplane, the stabilization of base level has been controlled by the occurrence of resistant beds along the course of the master stream.The history of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado has been postulated by previous writers to consist of two great cycles of erosion. The events of the valley of the Little Colorado are interpreted as having taken place during the second of these, “the canyon cycle”. The Black Point pediplane was well developed at the time of Stage 1 lavas which are of uppermost Pliocene or early Pleistocene age. The Wupatki pediplane was formed prior to Stage 2 lavas which are of early or middle Pleistocene age. The Little Colorado surface is still in the process of development and is found locally beneath Stage 3 and Stage 4 lavas. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.