Dendrogeomorphic Applications to Debris Flows in Glacier National Park, Montana USA

Abstract

Dendrogeomorphology, the use of tree rings to determine the age of a geomorphic event such as debris flows, is a useful tool in determining the recurrence interval and to some extent, the magnitude, of potentially hazardous geomorphic events. Debris flows will damage trees as the debris moves downhill. The impact scars can be dated by counting the tree rings that have grown since the impact, or by determining the year of the onset of suppression rings or reaction wood. The following example refers to the use of dendrogeomorphology in the examination of debris flow hazards within Glacier National Park, Montana USA.