RUNNING HEAD: GEOL HX OF LAKE IDAHO

Geologic History of Lake Idaho Amber Shoopman College of Western Idaho Geology 102

GEOL HX OF LAKE IDAHO Geologic History of Lake Idaho INTRODUCTION The striking Foothills of Boise. The desert sand dunes of Bruneau. The beauty of the Twin Falls waterfalls. It is hard to believe that at one point this entire area consisted of a very different environment. In fact, the entire area was a large lake stretching from Twin Falls up to Hells Canyon, nearly 70 km wide and 300 km long (Wood & Clemens, 1998, 69). Thanks to recent geologic evidence and dating, the history of how this lake, known as Lake Idaho, came to exist, its various patterns of transgression and regression, and its eventual demise is a subject that fascinates Snake

River Plain geologists. The following information will outline the tectonic formation of the basin for Lake Idaho, its early history, fossils and fauna, the
Figure 1: Lake Idaho during the Miocene - Pliocene (Alt & Hyndman, 1995, 339)

sedimentary structures and depositional environments

left behind due to transgression and regression, and finally the passing of Lake Idaho into the annuals of geologic history. TECTONIC SETTING Lake Idaho makes up a large part of the western Snake River Plain (SRP) in southern Idaho. There are many hypotheses about how the SRP formed, however, this area is critical to understanding intracontinental plume tracks because it lies near the intersection of the Yellowstone plume track and the western SRP graben, a tectonic enigma that does not conform

GEOL HX OF LAKE IDAHO to current models of plume-lithosphere interaction (Shervais, Shroff, Vetter, Matthews, Hanan, & McGee, 1998, 344). Despite the enigma of the area, the most likely hypothesis of the formation of the SRP is that the western plain [is a] basin and range structure whose formation

was triggered by the magmatism of the migrating Yellowstone hot spot (Clemens 1993, as cited in Woods & Clemens, 1998, 70). The eastern SRP follows the exact path of the Yellowstone hot spot in correlation to the movement of the North American Plate, while the western SRP is a structural graben oriented at a high angle to the trace of the Yellowstone plume and the axis of the eastern SRP (Shervai et al., 1998, 343). The path of the Yellowstone hot spot left behind a series of different types of volcanos. These volcanos began to shape the basin that would eventually form Lake Idaho. There were fifteen identifiable basaltic vents in this area (Shervais et al., 1998, 345). As these volcanos erupted they formed a basaltic basement over the continental crust (Wood & Clemens, 1998, 72). In addition, as the hot spot passed by, it softened the lithosphere and allow for an extension of the western SRP and the formation of the basin. The faulted basin
Figure 2: Section of Western SRP and Lake Idaho Basin (Hellar & Wood, 2005, 86)

of the western plain began

GEOL HX OF LAKE IDAHO forming about 12 m.y. ago, and much of the relief was completed by 9 Ma (Haller & Wood,

2005, 85) The rhyolite and basaltic lava flows, 9 Ma covered the eruptive center and allowed for the formation to start filling with water (Jenks, Bonnichsen, & Godchaux, 1998, 3). EARLY HISTORY AND LAKE IDAHO DEVELOPMENT Lake Idaho has two very distinct time periods in which it transgressed and regressed. Lake Idaho began filling in the basin created in the western SRP during the mid to late Miocene, approximately 8.5 Ma (Wood & Clemens, 1998, 86). In the late Miocene, around 6 Ma, the lake regressed to a level so low, some geologists think it drained completely. The rapid tectonic foundering of the basin, the change to a more arid climate, or the establishment of a lower outlet are all favorable possible explanations (Wood & Clemens, 1998, 88) Whatever the reason, it began to rise again after a couple million years, and it reached a peak of 3,800 m around 4 Ma in the Pliocene. Because Lake Idaho formed so long ago, and the tectonics are still an enigma, geologists are left to speculate on how the lake filled in the first place. Most geologists believe that Lake Idaho was filled through a series of river tributaries that existed during the Miocene. During this time, as the continents were still shifting into their current position, there was still a great deal of water on the land. With the shifting tectonics, the rivers were rerouted to a common location the Lake Idaho basin. Because the waters rose to such great heights, geologists theorize that Lake Idaho was a closed basin. It was the closed basin that allowed the water to rise and create

GEOL HX OF LAKE IDAHO sedimentary foundations.

Figure 3: Plot of elevation of lake deposits vs. time (Wood & Clemens, 1998, 86)

DEPOSITIONAL ENVIROMENT AND SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES The closed basin theory is also supported by the alkaline level of Lake Idaho. Fauna indicate that at one time the lake-water salinity was greater than 300 mg/l and less than 3,000 mg/l and had a pH about 8 to 9 (Wood & Clemens, 1998, 84). As the lake continued to rise, the alkalinity increased, as is evidenced in the sedimentary deposits of the Chalk Hills Formation. During periods of regression, the alkaline levels dropped to a more neutral pH level (Wood & Clemens, 1998, 86). The transgression and regression of Lake Idahos first period (that of the Miocene) can be tracked through the sedimentary deposits found in the Chalk Hills Formation. The Chalk Hills Formation gives geologists many clues as to the tributaries that originally fed into Lake Idaho. The bottom most layer of the Chalk Hills Formation forms the floor of the lake. This sediment consists of coarse sand and pebble gravel derived mostly from the Idaho batholith and older volcanos (Wood & Clemens, 1998, 82). This information tells geologist that the tributary that deposited into Lake Idaho, forming the Chalk Hills Formation flowed from a north/northeastern

GEOL HX OF LAKE IDAHO river that was flowing west/southwest. Further Chalk Hills Formation sediments reveal large

amounts of siliceous volcanic ash interbedded with abundant sand and silt (Swirydczuk, Larson, & Smith, 1982, 543). This gives rise to the theory that Lake Idaho experienced many underwater volcanic eruptions. When Lake Idaho made its first major regression into basic non-existence, Chalk Hills Formation began to erode. During the 1-2 million years that the lake was absent, no data can be collected to guide geologists in the direction of the climate or tectonics of the time. There is simply a gap in history caused by this unconformity. It is not until the lake begins to transgress once more that time catches up with the area. The upper part of this transgressive sequence contains oolite lenses marking shoreline regions. The transgressive sequence marked by the lowest occurrence of oolitic shoreline sand has been used as the definition of the base of the Glenns Ferry Formation (Wood & Clemens, 1998, 85). The Glenns Ferry Formation marks the second transgression and regression of Lake Idaho. Three principal facies exist in the Glenns Ferry Formation: lacustrine, fluvial, and floodplain (Swirydczuk, Larson, & Smith, 1982, 545). The lacustrine facies are the most abundant in the formation and consist mostly of tan silt. The fluvial facies consists of thick beds of brownish gray sands, some of which are cross bedded and ripple marked (Swirydczuk, Larson, & Smith, 1982, 545). Large lakes [like Lake Idaho] mimic oceans by producing currents and waves. These form sedimentary structures that look similar to those made by the same processes in oceans and streams (Jenks, Bonnichsen, & Godchaux, 1998, 4). The final facies, is the floodplain, which is made of mostly very thin beds of calcareous, a pale variety of

GEOL HX OF LAKE IDAHO olive silt, and dark clay (Swirydczuk, Larson, & Smith, 1982, 545).

Figure 4: Correlation of Stratigraphic Sections (Swirydczuk, Larson, & Smith, 1982, 543)

FOSSILS AND BIOTA OF LAKE IDAHO Found within the Chalk Hills and Glenns Ferry Formation are a multitude of fossils from the Miocene and Pliocene that gives evidence to the biota of Lake Idaho. The near shore environments found in the Glenns Ferry Formation give evidence of reefs, beaches, and sandbars complete with fossils of fish bones, mollusc tests, and petrified wood (Jenks, Bonnichsen, Godchaux, 1998, 4). These fish included meter-long minnows and salmon. The fish fed on an abundant population of microfossils, including many species of both diatoms and ostracods. A diverse mammal and vertebrate fauna that included swans, saber-toothed tigers, frogs, and camels also flourished on the shores of the lake (Jenks, Bonnichsen, Godchaux, 1998, 4).

GEOL HX OF LAKE IDAHO The Chalk Hills Formation shows that during the Miocene, Lake Idaho supported a

wide range of fish. Cold-water fish (Salmon and trout species) occur with warm-water species of catfish and sunfish. The lake contained no sculpins or whitefish. It has not yet been resolved if any of the fish were anadromous (Wood & Clemens, 1998, 84). The Chalk Hills and Glenns Ferry Formations also contain many varieties of white shelled gastropods and clams (Haller &

Figure 5: Picture borrowed from http://imnh.isu.edu/digitalatlas/index.htm

Wood, 2005, 98). Among all the fauna found in the sedimentary deposits of Lake Idaho, 80

species [are] virtually extinct[and] more than 30 species [thrive today] (Malde, 1972, D15). Of particular interest to geologist is the genus Ophiomys, which thrives as different species throughout Idaho. The Ophiomys taylori (which is a type of mouse) is found around the Lake Idaho area. The abundance of Ophiomys species in Idaho, from nearly the same time frame allows geologists to study the evolution of a particular genus within a contained environment and period. In addition to the Ophiomys, the Glenns Ferry Formation boasts seven previously unseen fish species in Idaho, five of which are now extinct, and the other two are known to inhabit the waters of California. DEMISE OF LAKE IDAHO During the Pliocene, Lake Idaho began to regress at a steady pace of about 120 m/Ma (Wood & Clemens, 1998, 93). Lake Idaho probably drained slowly as the ancestral Snake River

GEOL HX OF LAKE IDAHO cut through Hells Canyon and breached the lake basin (Jenks, Bonnichsen, Godchaux, 1998, 4). The slow lowering of the water levels produced delta type deposits within the lake basin.

The highest grade deposits are about elevation 2,500 feet, and record the time at which the lake basin completely filled with sediment (Wood & Clemens, 1998, 93). Lake Idaho would never again transgress to cover most of south-western Idaho. The land would be forever changed. The once marine habitat would become the arid, nearly desert environment that it is today.

GEOL HX OF LAKE IDAHO REFERENCES Alt, D.& Hyndman, D.W. (1995). Northwest Exposures: A Geologic Story of the Northwest. Missoula: Montana Press Publishing Company.

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Haller, K.M. & Wood, S.H. (2005). Geological Field Trips in Southern Idaho, Eastern Oregon, and Northern Nevada: Geology Across and Under the Western Snake River Plain Idaho: Owyhee Mountains to the Boise Foothills. U.S. Geological Survery: U.S. Department of the Interior. Open-File Report 2004-1222. Published 10 March 2005. Jenks, M.D., Bonnichsen, B., & Godchaux, M. M. (1998). Geologic Map of the Grand ViewBruneau Area, Owyhee County, Idaho. Moscow: Idaho Geological Survey, University of Idaho. Malde, H. (1972). Stratigraphy of the Glenns Ferry Formation from Hammett to Hagerman, Idaho. Washington D.C.: United State Department of the Interior. Shervias, J.W., Shroff, G., Vetter, S.K., Matthews, S., Hanan, B.B., & McGee, J.J. (1998). Origin and Evolution of the Western Snake River Plain: Implications From Stratigraphy, Faulting, and Geochemistry of Basalts Near Mountain Home, Idaho. Idaho Geological Survey Bulletin, 30, 343-361. Swirydczuk, K., Larson, G.P., & Smith, G.R. (1982). Volcanic Ash Beds as Stratigraphic Markers in the Glenns Ferry and Chalk Hills Formations from Adrian, Oregon, to Bruneau, Idaho. Idaho Bureau of Mines and Geology Bulletin. 26. 543-558. Wood, S.H. & Clemens, D.M. (1998). Geologic and Tectonic History of the Western Sank River Plain, Idaho and Oregon. Idaho Geological Survey Bulletin. 30. 69-103.