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Science 22 December 1978:
Vol. 202. no. 4374, pp. 1249 - 1256
DOI: 10.1126/science.202.4374.1249
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Articles

The Spokane Flood Controversy and the Martian Outflow Channels

Victor R. Baker 1

1 Associate professor in the Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas, Austin 78712

In a series of papers published between 1923 and 1932, J Harlen Bretz described an enormous plexus of proglacial stream channels eroded into the loess and basalt of the Columbia Plateau, eastern Washington. He argued that this region which he called the Channeled Scabland, was the product of a cataclysmic flood, which he called the Spokane flood. Considering the nature and vehemence of the opposition to his hypothesis, which was considered outrageous, its eventual scientific verification constitutes one of the most fascinating episodes in the history of modern science. The discovery of probable catastrophic flood channels on Mars has given new relevance to Bretz's insights.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
The Spokane Flood debates: historical background and philosophical perspective.
V. R. Baker (2008)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 301, 33-50
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Rediscovering the historical methodology of the earth sciences by analyzing scientific communication styles.
J. Dodick and S. Argamon (2006)
Geological Society of America Special Papers 413, 105-120
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Geology: from an Earth to a planetary science in the twentieth century.
U. B. Marvin (2002)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 192, 17-57
   Abstract »    PDF »
Catastrophism and uniformitarianism: logical roots and current relevance in geology.
V. R. Baker (1998)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 143, 171-182
   Abstract »    PDF »
Discovering Earth's future in its past: palaeohydrology and global environmental change.
V. R. Baker (1996)
Geological Society, London, Special Publications 115, 73-83
   Abstract »    PDF »
Paleohydrology of Late Pleistocene Superflooding, Altay Mountains, Siberia.
V. R. Baker, V. R. Baker, G. Benito, and A. N. Rudoy (1993)
Science 259, 348-350
   Abstract »    PDF »
Paleoflood Hydrology.
R. C. Kochel, R. C. Kochel, and V. R. Baker (1982)
Science 215, 353-361
   Abstract »    PDF »
The geomorphology of Mars.
V. R. Baker and V. R. Baker (1981)
Progress in Physical Geography 5, 473-513
   PDF »


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