The 18 May 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, emplaced between 3-3.5 billion cubic yards (bcy) of poorly sorted material ranging from silt to boulders, extending from river mile (RM) 25 to RM 38 in the upper North Fork Toutle River drainage. Sediment yields from the debris avalanche were calculated...
Chameleon is a physics-based landscape modeling software system designed for modeling and simulations applications. Hyperspectral laboratory, field, and imaging spectrometer measurements are collected as empirical foundation data. Linear spectral unmixing is performed to decompose each image pixel into spectral endmembers. Mathematical manipulation of these fractional abundances and introduction of new...
Map delineations of soil and vegetation for a 14,000
acre (5,800 hectare) site in the Oregon Coast Range were
compared. Research objectives were to ascertain the
types of information that could be extracted from delineation
comparisons and to develop a methodology suited
to this purpose. The latter objective was achieved...
Geographical geomorphology is a young science with a long,
complex history closely paralleling the growth and development of
geology. From an enthusiastic beginning under the tutelage of
William Morris Davis, geographical geomorphology rapidly lost its
influence and stature in geography. Today there is a sense of
purpose and direction that...
The ocean wave conditions at the mouth of the Columbia River have
long proven a hazard to ship navigation. Over 62 major shipwrecks
have occurred at, or in the vicinity of the river entrance. The wave
pattern is extremely complex, varying seasonally with prevailing winds
and river discharge, as well...
The John Day Reservoir, a large reservoir between the John Day and the McNary Dams on the Columbia River, must be lowered several feet below design level during salmon migration season in order to preserve anadromous fish habitat. This research assessed the north shore of the John Day Reservoir for...
Field data collection techniques in combination with remote
sensing techniques were used to interpret and map the complex flow pattern of
the numerous glaciers comprising the Juneau lcefield, spanning the Alaska-
Canada boundary range. The extensive nature of the icefield mandated the use
of a variety of methods for surveying...
Soils of Santa Cruz Island, California were mapped
at the subgroup taxonomic level using a Geographic Information
System (GIS) and field survey. Lithologic substrate,
vegetative cover, slope gradient and slope aspect comprised
the GIS data layers; these correspond to the soil-forming
factors that were hypothesized to exert the greatest influence...
The purpose of this paper is to define terrain analysis, as it relates to
military applications; to review the historical development of the central ideas
of terrain analysis, which has led to the development of three computer
programs that are designed to make terrain analysis an automated process
rather than...
Gathering empirical data on the factors and processes affecting bedload transport
in the field is difficult. This project conducted during the winter of 1996 field tested a new
passive method of positively tracking individual particle movement. The project was
conducted in Oak Creek, a gravel bedded stream, located in Corvallis,...
The Jackson/Frazier Wetland is a small wetland
in Benton County, Oregon. It has one main inf lowing
stream, Jackson/Frazier Creek, and one main
outfiowing stream, a man-made drainage ditch.
Streamflow measurements were collected for both
streams over a four month period of November 1983 to
February 1984. This data was...
Lincoln City, Oregon is an area of active environmental
processes and increasing development. To reduce conflict, a larger
data base on environmental hazards was required. Previous studies
in the area, remote sensing techniques and. field research were used
to accomplish this end. Within Lincoln City, numerous environmental
hazards were identified...
The main purpose of this research is
1. To analyze the terrain/climate of Cape Verde, with emphasis on cloud
cover, and its effect upon satellite image acquisition.
2. To use a methodology that allows the use of AutoCAD to map these clouds effect in image acquisition to permit viewing whatever...
Spectral profiles, transformed divergence values, and feature space derived from Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) data were used to analyze the ability of four false color composites to discriminate between different classes of salt-affected soils. To compare the spatial distribution of salt-affected soil classes, maps were generated for each false color...
This project explored one set of tools and procedures that
appeared to have the potential to make the handling of the spatial
data necessary for resource management more efficient and
effective. This project used data from the Nature Conservancy's
Lawrence Memorial Grassland Preserve and was designed to explore
a low...
The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is rapidly expanding in almost every field of inquiry. The field of Archaeology is also learning to use GIS to improve both initial data collection in the field and data analysis in the lab. This paper evaluates the usefulness of the GIS software...
This research paper focuses upon subsurface flow because of
its dominant influence on the other types of hilislope water flow
processes. The basic theory of water movement is quickly discussed in
order to build the reader's general background knowledge. With this
background, the journey starts into the poorly understood realm...
In order for proper land use planning
to occur in coastal Lincoln County, Oregon, coastal
erosion rates should be determined. This has been
accomplished by identifying the location of the
Lincoln County coast in 1939, 1959, and 1973 and
measuring the amount of change occurring between
the years. The area...
Human activity has led to the reactivation of
portions of a Pleistocene landslide complex in The Dalles,
Oregon. Slope movements are in rocks of the Chenowith
formation: agglomerate, conglomerate, tuff breccia, sandstone,
and siltstone. Slope movements occur in at least
two distinct areas in The Dalles. At one, the shear...
Much of the rich forestlands of Oregon are subject to frequent mass wasting
events, resulting in severe environmental and economic damages. Extensive research has
shown that this landslide hazard is often exacerbated by many management activities.
Following a severe storm event which triggered thousands of landslides, the Oregon
Department of...
The Cape Verde Islands, off the coast of West Africa, are subject to violent precipitation events that cause extensive soil erosion and degradation of the landscape. A systematic approach to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of hydrophysical and geographic data was needed to effectively analyze the cause and effect variables...
The purpose of this study is to determine if the
ntoraines damming proglacial Carver Lake are ice-cored.
The methodology to be employed consists of interpretation
of aerial photographs and field observations. The results
of these studies will be compared. to past research of
known ice-cored moraines in other regions of...
Bangladesh lies almost entirely on the delta of three major rivers: the Padma (the
Ganges), the Jamuna (the Brahmaputra), and the Meghna. A considerable portion of
Bangladesh has been repeatedly devastated by floods associated with cyclonic storm
surges along its coastal islands and riverine flooding along the rivers traversing the...
Landslide processes occurring on a hillslope in McDonald-Dunn
Forest on the eastern slope of the Oregon Coastal Range are
described in terms of type, magnitude. minimum age and site
characteristics. Debris flows and debris avalanches are the
dominant types of slope movement occurring in the study area.
Landslide events classified...
Sections of the landscape in north central Oregon are
dominated by numerous soil mounds surrounded by stone rings. Mounds
vary in size and shape depending on slope and mound density. Internal
soil mass is free of stones to the bedrock level and is covered
by successive layers of volcanic ash....
Sand dunes are used as indicators of wind
power potential and examples are presented of their application
as a prospecting technique at four study sites in
the Central Columbia River Basin. Aerial reconnaissance
is combined with interpretation of photography and topographic
maps as a basis of sand dune analysis. Sand...
Cirque aspects and elevations in the major highlands of Oregon indicate a pattern of climate during the Pleistocene similar to that of today. Mean cirque floor elevation increases toward the drier interior. Concentrations of cirques facing northeast, and steep gradients of cirque floor trend surfaces to the southwest, indicate a...
The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is managed by the Siuslaw
Forest division of the United States Forest Service (USFS). This area has gradually been
overcome by vegetation since the 1950's, originating with the exotic European Beach
Grass (Ammophila arenaria). The invasion of this exotic vegetation has resulted in a...
The surface mining of coal has accelerated in
northwest Colorado to the point where public pressure
plus impending state and federal regulations dictate the
need for comprehensive reclamation plans. A large coal
company operating in Moffat County has solicited recommendations
concerning soils, hydrogeology, geomorphology,
aesthetics, wildlife, vegetation, microclimatology, and
legal...
The purpose of this study is to review the historical development of the central ideas of
military geography and terrain analysis and to examine these new research initiatives from that
perspective. Although the mobility and technological aspects of warfare have changed rapidly,
the essential geographic nature of warfare has remained...
A slope stability map is created for the Astoria Basin, northwestern Oregon. The stability analysis is based upon a topographically based model, TOPOG model. The model predicts the occurrence of subsurface water-logging which reduces the shear-strength of a slope-profile. Simply stated, subsurface saturated zones occur wherever the local drainage flux...
Tsunamis pose a major threat to Oregon's coastal communities. Evacuation is
the best method to mitigate for tsunamis. Planning for tsunami evacuation is underway
in Oregon's coastal communities. Current methodologies use tsunami inundation
models and population for evacuation planning. Tsunamis from a Cascadia subduction
zone (CSZ) earthquake will create more...
In recent years, the field of videography (the process of obtaining
video imagery) has taken on greater significance in remote sensing
applications. Today studies are being conducted to determine the potential
uses and capabilites of airborne video imagery. In the past, satellite or aerial
photography analysis and interpretation has been...
Pleistocene glaciation in the upper elevations of the
Western Cascade Mountains took two characteristic forms: cirque and
valley glaciers. Field observations in the Neal Creek and Thomas
Creek drainage areas of Snow Peak provide evidence of three glacial
advances. Glacial landforms in the Neal Creek Valley are dominated
by a...
If wind power is to become a viable energy alternative, a rapid and reliable cost effective methodology must be established, whereby large areas can be surveyed for windy sites and those sites can be evaluated. Based primarily on locating wind deformed vegetation, this paper establishes the feasibility of using air...
A photographic band-ratioing technique was investigated.
The data source consisted of 70 mm Landsat Multispectral Scanner
(MSS) negatives. The process would require combining registered
positive and negative transparencies to achieve a ratio
modulation in the resulting print. This would also require
compensation for atmospheric effects on the original negatives by...
In this study, LIDAR, light detection and ranging, was examined as to its ability to
depict the existence of forest roads and 'legacy' roads. LIDAR is most often used to
'see' though the trees or vegetation to get an accurate representation of the terrain. As
opposed to trying to remove...
In attempting to provide modern water and
sewerage services to the non-indigenous inhabitants of
Canadian Arctic communities, engineering modifications are
necessary owing to the presence of a continuous permafrost
zone and a severe climate. Modifications are constraints
on communities in that the costs of providing water and
sewerage services are...
The focus of this study was to examine and record
the physical changes brought about by the breaching of the
Siltcoos Foredune. The origin of the dunes and the physical
processes that operate there must be considered before
effects due to the breach can be studied. A series of field...
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Change Analysis Program (C-CAP) is developing a nationally standardized database on landcover and habitat change in the coastal regions of the United States. The Willapa Bay eelgrass mapping project was granted to the Columbia River Estuary Study Task force (CREST) of Astoria,...
This project focuses on the classification of
vegetation as a habitat for wild turkeys. The
vegetation classification discussed here is only one
part of a study looking at habitat requirements,
seasonal use patterns, and brood-rearing habits of
wild turkeys in Southern Oregon. The vegetation
classification was performed for an area...
The semantic differential technique was used to
quantify four interest groups' perceptions of twenty-six
Alaskan scenes. The scenes represented both panoramic views
and views of Mount McKinley from different sites in southcentral
Alaska. The perceptions were measured on six semantic
scales ("ugly-beautiful", "dislike-like", "unpleasantpleasant",
"unstimulating-stimulating", "level-mountainous",
and 'monotonous-varied"), and the...
A study conducted along the Lincoln County, Oregon coast
delineated the exact location of 153 landslides. The landslides were
found through the interpretation of aerial photographs. Each landslide
was verified in the field and its class (ancient, historic, recent),
type (slump, debris slide or flow, planar slide), and status (stable,...
This report describes the latest in a series of studies sponsored by the Nationwide Forestry Applications Program. Each such study has attempted to enhance the interpretability of remotely-sensed imagery. In this case the image type of specific interest is high-altitude color infrared (CIR) photography. This is a resource management tool...
The Geographic Information System (GIS) is an invaluable tool in manipulating and
interpreting world scale datasets. In recent years it has become the standard link between
water resource study and the ever-increasing numbers of high quality data sets. This
paper describes the use of Geographic Information Systems for gathering and...
The Lawrence Memorial Grassland Preserve, located in
Wasco County, Oregon, exhibits a wide variety of soil mounds and
patterned ground features. The size, shape, and distribution of
several elements of this peculiar landscape were analyzed with a
detailed map, field observations, and statistical procedures.
Common soil mound shapes are circular,...
Louisiana Army Ammunition Plant (LAAP), located near Shreveport, Louisiana, is a
government-owned contractor-operated plant. Its purpose is to manufacture, load and
assemble ammunition items. Area P has been used over the past 40 years to dump
explosive-laden wastewater into 16 unlined lagoons. In 1989 LAAP was placed on the
National...
Stream channel stability for two tributaries of Rock Creek in the
Oregon Coast Range is evaluated by application of a Stream Reach Inventory.
Stability nomographs are constructed for graphical analysis of
erosion potential. Results indicate that channel stability can be
classified. One stream is rated as 'Poor' in resistance to...
An emergency management system integrating remote sensing and geographic
information systems applied to emergency preparation, response, and recovery could
have reduced casualties and damage after the August 17, 1999 Kocaeli, Turkey
earthquake. Model system components include a horizontally and vertically distributed
knowledge base, LIDAR 3D urban modeling, automatic feature extraction,...
Aerial videography in combination with GPS were used to monitor the
active surge of Alaska's Bering Glacier. The large aerial extent of the study area and the
unpredictable weather in coastal Alaska required innovative techniques to be used in
order to successfully monitor the surge environment. A portable aerial videographic...