Camas Prairie Ripple Marks

In 1942, Geologist Joseph T. Pardee identified these unique parallel ridges found in the Camas Prairie as "giant" ripple marks. With an average height between 13-30 feet these ripple marks would dwarf any ordinary ripple mark you might find on a beach or in a river today. The Camas Prairie ripple marks were formed as the deep and swift flowing water from Glacial Lake Missoula raced through the failed ice dam at speeds up to 50 miles per hour.

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