I Felt the Earth Move A massive portion of Mesa Seco gave way about 850 Years ago. This resulted in the Slumgullion Earthflow, one of the most visible examples of “mass wasting” in the United States. About 850 years ago, thousands of tons of water-saturated, earthen material broke away from Mesa Seco and slid nearly four miles into the valley below. The Slumgullion Earthflow dammed the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River and formed Lake San Cristobal -- the second largest natural lake in Colorado. About 350 years ago, another portion of Mesa Seco began to slowly ooze down the hillside. Riding above the older slide, this flow covered about 2.5 miles of the older flow. Geologists estimate that it is still moving downhill approximately twenty feet per year.

Location records that use this photograph:

Slumgullion Earthflow, Hinsdale County, Colorado

Article records that use this photograph:

• “Silver Thread Scenic Byway,” Colorado State Highway 149, Colorado: at overlook.
• Field Notes: 18 Sep 2017.

Other photos about Geography - Hinsdale County, CO or Slumgullion Earthflow.

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Date and time this page was prepared: 12/8/2024 2:14:16 PM