CWU's Nick Zentner presents 'Ancient Rivers of the Pacific Northwest' - the 17th talk in his ongoing Downtown Geology Lecture Series. Recorded at Hal Holmes Center on February 1, 2017 in Ellensburg, Washington, USA. www.nickzentner.com
Just another positive comment about your lectures. As a blue collar truck driver. That area of the country is some if not the absolute most beautiful portions of our country that I have seen. And as a uneducated rock hound since I was a kid coming home with pockets full of rocks. And even now I make it a priority to stop in every state and pick out rocks for my daughters on every trip. It’s nice to have the ability to watch your lectures and actually be able to understand and learn from them. You can tell that you love what you do. It shows in your enthusiasm. Thank you. Truly. Thank you.
Nick, I have said that you have "told" me about plate tectonics, that Yellowstone last blew up in Idaho, and that it is over a "hot spot" just like the Hawaiian Islands and other stuff. Now you are going to know a little about me if you read this. I want to thank you for teaching me as well as the people that come to your lectures. I live in Auburn, WA, and I am 65 years old as of January 3rd, 2023.
@@frenchysandi Oh, you live in the tropical part of MN. LOL When people out here find out where I'm from they say you don't sound like those people in the movie Fargo. lol
@@kjsalomonsen9299 The fargo accent is a real thing though for sure. By the time you reach Minneapolis it dies out pretty quickly. I equate it to rural Virginia. If you drive 5 hours east of the western tip of Virginia, that thick Mountain / Southern accent gets gentler. I was once in Big Stone Gap and asked where the bathroom was and the woman said “Dan the Howell and go rat”
I love how this guy has too much class to laugh at his own jokes. A dynamic and inspiring teacher. But I have to put in a word for the camera operator. Professor Zentner makes you work pretty hard, keeping him in frame... and you're doing a great job.
I don't live in America but your lectures made me more interested in geology than when I was a student in the 70s. Rocks and fossils fascinate me. Thank you professor Zentner for making the subject easier to digest and more interesting.
You are lucky! America is mostly populated by god-fearing people who do not understand the world they live in and insist on following books that promise things that cannot be promised. If one is "enlightened" and lives in a rational world, he/she is in the minority! It is hard to understand how a nation of such backward thinking people could possibly be the most formidable power on the planet....except perhaps because the others are so much worse.
@@nixl3518 Nope. If you have been paying attention, you know that there are physicists who believe their work is also bringing them closer to an understanding of the Creator. Not myth, reality.
@@aebemacgill YEP!!! If you use the word "believe" the issue becomes faith and not science, two mutually exclusive concepts,, the first based on myth, the second on facts! A real scientist cannot believe in myth anymore than you believe in Zeus. You refer to those still stuck with their religious upbringing reluctant to let go and others who may not want to be shunned from the society they belong to. Culture has trappings that prevent knowledge from overturning long held fictitious beliefs, like the ones you insist of adhering to as a fly stuck in flypaper. In any case the vast majority of scientists disagree with you while most of the rest won't admit what they know is true: god is a man-made concept. Anyone left cannot be called a scientist because they insist on believing fiction. As science progresses, and fills in gaps that you might cling to so you can try to make your case, there will be nothing left for your faith, but also you will not be around and those left will be more rational and less irrational. This is inevitable; religion cannot survive in a rational world, except in sanatoria and the ignorant. I HAVE been paying attention...to facts you ignore.
Thanks to Nick's lectures, I am probably going back to school and changing my major from engineering to geology or geomorphology. If you had told me, two years ago, that I would get hooked on a series of videos of a guy standing in front of a chalk board and talking about rock, I'd have told you that you had rocks in your head. It is the mark of the true teacher that he imparts his love for his subject along with his knowledge. Thank you, Nick.
@@maritasue5067, great idea. Thank you. I'm actually leaning more towards volcanology. There's growing bulge here in Oregon, just South of South Sister that will probably become our next volcano.
When I was wrapping up a bs math I took a science elective, introductory geology. I was hooked and got another bs after failing to make the graduate record exam and admission to grad school, so my coursework went toward my bs.
Learning is easy when a teacher is this passionate. Take it or leave it, prove me wrong or respect my place on the data chain... We are all in this together.
I am closer to the headwaters of the Columbia River, in Canada right now, (Revelstoke). I was looking up the birds, and wetlands, and stumbled upon these videos. How informative and enlightening. I love rivers, rocks, streams, volcanos, and ancient history. Just great. Thank you so much!
I was not one bit interested in geology. However, Mr. Zentner, you have won me over!!! this was very interesting. My husband and I watched the entire lecture and actually learned something! I love the way you taught!
My wife and I love to see and hear "Nick on the Rocks" on PBS. We record them too. this was a fantastic lecture and I can't really fathom the amount of research and work it took to put it together. The Maps, the field trips, the explanations! Keep up the good work. I live in between Yakima and the Tri-Cities and know a lot of these places by name. fantastic!
Nick, I am a Physical Geographer and received my Bachelor's of Science from U of Idaho. I took a lot of geology classes during that time. This is ALL NEW TO ME! IT'S WONDERFUL! You are a magnificent educator! I learned so much in one hr on items that I've wondered about for 25 years. I would love to study from you. Amazing!
At the turn of the century I studied/wrote about the Native history of the Klamath Siskiyou Bioregion primarily from a forest POV. This lecture opened my eyes to a whole new paradigm about the role of water. Miigwech.
I'm a carpenter/cso in Surrey Canada. Not a student, but I love this guy's lectures! I'm a about a dozen or so videos in and I'm hooked. If my teachers where half as interesting as this guy growing up I'd be an oceanographer or marine biologist right now. Thanks for posting!! I've always been fascinated with geology and even more so now. Thx
I came across this video by chance. As an enthusiast of river geomorphology this was a fascinating story wonderfully told by an enthusiastic teacher. As an Australian this was all totally new to me which made it all the more interesting and presented so well it will be remembered. Thanks Nick
You Sir.. have given a 47 year man the geology education he NEVER had.... i was born and dragged through rhe uk version of Hells caynon... THANK YOU.. Geology teachers *ROCK* 😁🤣😍🤗🦉👊💖💖💖💖💖
I just recently found out about this lecture series. I grew up in the Pacific Northwest, and I always wondered about all geologic features. How old were they? Why did the rivers flow like that? What's with those rolling hills? Why are there landforms that look like a layer cake with a river flowing through the bottom of a canyon? This series is scratching an itch I've nurtured for decades! Nick Zentner is now my favorite
@@Ellensburg44 Hi Nick, Thoroughly enjoy your geology series on RU-vid! My question is: Have your ever done a program on volcanic Grabens? Such as the Republic Graben at Curlew Lake. I would love to know the title of it so I can watch it if you have done one. I lived in Republic on the west side of Curlew Lake for 22 years, am a ferocious rockhound and gold miner.
Makes me wish I had when I went to central for public health kn 2011 before my UW nursing degree. I became friends with all the Eburgistan townies though so I still spend time out there a lot . Going there tonight for a couple days in fact ;)
Me too, he is fascinating and makes everything interesting as he brings the whole story to life!! I used to travel to the Saddle Mountain area to paraglider in the 90s and live the area! Except for the rattlesnakes.
I love people who are passionate about rock talk. I had a great geology teacher at Spokane Community College 15 years ago, Andy Buddington. I thought I'd hate the class but ended up really enjoying it. A great teacher makes all the difference. Rocks are history, so fascinating.
An indispensable public service. What good all that field work without an enthusiast to interpret it and share with the layman? A rousing thank you Nick, from a nerdy, geology-loving couple from the tri-cities. Where can we get your lecture schedule?
Thanks for the nice comments. nickzentner.com has upcoming lectures and past videos. Also, email me if you want on my email list to hear about field trips and other activities. nick@geology.cwu.edu
If you can git there from where you are and you can get a coin detector you can locate the Black sands and the gold that was deposited by that River and no one else except for me probably I've been coin detecting the ancient riverbed by fine you may find a fortune
Thank you, I have driven up and down these canyons for 70 years, and I wish I had this info a long time ago. And, you make it so interesting, I wish I had had a teacher like you, way back when. I could picture it as you went along.
Ive inspired many freinds and kids to take an intrest in our geology,all thanks to you Nick,living in the shadow of squaw Butte,Sweet Idaho,and now understanding why it's there(CRB),has changed my life,the fascination for me is overwhelming,at 60 years old with a 7th grade education I can only wish I had teachers like you.God bless you Nick!
I'm a sucker for central Washington geology and history since that whole area is one of my favorite places to go check out and see. I lived in Moses Lake for a few years and I enjoyed driving thru the Sun Lakes and too Grand Coulee and everywhere else I could go all over Central Washington and northern, Central and Southern Oregon. Watching this video (for some odd reason why RU-vid put it in my recommendations, I have no clue) makes me wanna hop in the car and go for a road trip.
I truly enjoyed the lecture. Thank you! I live in New Mexico now but, was raised in Wenatchee. I knew the Columbia river had different pathways, but this really filled a lot of the gaps in my knowledge of the area that I still call home. Daniel Davis, a retired professor of music, CNM, UNM, living in Albuquerque, NM. I loved the Guthrie song at the end.
I was up in the area west of Bickleton one time about thirty years ago and found lots of reddish river rocks and I was puzzled about them. They seemed out of place and I wondered how they got there. Thanks for clearing up that mystery for me! I really enjoy your lectures. Entertaining and informative.
I bought some property NE of Goldendale in the Simcoe highlands, and I’ve been wondering the same about the reddish/maroon river rounded river rock as well, 2400 feet elevation. These videos have answered my questions.
This guy is the best! I missed my calling as a geologist when it came to school. I have learned so much about it for my localized western mojave, mainly my interest is olio-Pleistocene non-marine/non-lacustrine meta-sediments that were implications of volcanism early and the movement in the late Miocene. I really wish I could’ve have went to college and had this professor. So interesting!
Western Mojave...so you live in California?( I assume by western Mojave..) I have lived in Socal my whole life, was born in NorCal & spent a lot of summers up north...I live close to Vasquez rocks and was always fascinated by Californian geology ( growing up in L.A ..The LaBrea tar pits is still one of my favorite museums)... But had a geologist friend tell me California is actually boring when it comes to this subjects... what are some of your favorite places in Mojave or deserts?
Greetings from South Louisiana. Thank you for sharing your tremendous knowledge in a fun & exciting way. Your stories make it easier for a layman like myself to understand these complex processes. Would love to hear your insight on the Mississippi River and it’s ancient deltas.
Life-long Washingtonian, I've heard many of the local stories and theories from Cle-Elum to Wenatchee to Coulee City to Chewelah to Spokane, and this is the first time I've seen all of this information connected into the big picture . . . Thanx, Nick. Outstanding!
This guy reminds me of my high school science teacher... fast pace, lots of info and a don't get bored format that just engages the audience. Well done.
I've just recently found this channel, but I greatly enjoy the content. The information is presented well, the pace and timing are good, and the humor is just the right touch - especially that he laughs at himself and his own blunders and faults, too. I've already started putting these in my "science to sleep by" playlist, too. Not that it (or other stuff in the list) is boring enough to put one to sleep, but that I love science and it makes me comfy enough to settle in & drift off to sleep. They include geology, anthropology, astronomy, biology, and yeah, several other -ologies, too. 😊 Yep, "nerrrrrrrd!" is accurate, LOL! Anyway, just explaining my happiness with this channel, and suggesting to folks that might be like me what to do with all of these great science videos. 😊 And since the Almighty Algorithm has been fed, I shall move along. 🙃🙂
If you're watching this in June of 2022, because you're waiting for Professor Nick's next "summer field study" video upload, you're awesome and you ROCK!
I just love your lectures! You are funny and your lectures are great! Greetings from Germany, from someone who will probably never get to know the places that you are talking about. Still ... lovely lecture! Thank you!
Elin, save your money and come on a Washington-Oregon geology tour: snow-capped active volcanoes, spectacular Pacific coastlines, tallest trees in the world ... and these lava flows equalled only by the Deccan Traps in India. Nick is a wonderful geology communicator.
I've had some great Professors in my 4 degree career ArchD BS struct eng Bach bus Ad AA art ... Watching this lecture reminded me of them. Big Mahalos to all the teachers in the world that gave it there all so we could enjoy learning. .... Aloha-j
I like this guy.....very interesting with great humor.. We have a mountain here in NW Wyoming that is over 10,000 ASL, and the top is covered with river cobbles...
That's a crasy thought... a river once was low flatlands. It makes sense, but the power involved to shift it. A cool fact along those lines, mount everest has marine fossils on the top of it. They can be found on the peaks. Apparently the area where mt everest was used to be a shallow tropical ocean. It's mind boggling to think about.
Sir, your lectures are informative, engaging and entertaining. You are an outstanding educator! Thanks for taking the time to do these lectures and videos!
Great lecture from a great teacher! It will take my mind some time to digest all of the information. Teacher evaluation: Excellent, very enthusiastic and extremely knowledgeable of the subject! A classic example of someone who willfully passes along knowledge without prejudice and encourages thinking by applying various pedagogic principals such as creating an enjoyable forum that facilitates learning, this is the definition of a good teacher. Thank you professor Zentner, I wish there were more professional teachers like you. I have subscribed to your channel and added it as a new tool in the toolbox of my education.
I just found this, and see that it is several years old. That may seem short, in geologic time, but this is timeless. A clear basic explanations of the PNW's "ups and downs". Thanks, Nick. Can't wait to have you down in Tri-Cities again.
Excellent delivery and really memorable. Just out of interest, in the Peak District of Derbyshire (England) we have quite a few dry valleys. These might look like the air gaps Professor Nick mentioned but these are where the river cut a valley in the normal way through impermiable rocks into a limestone bed beneath. The river then went underground leaving the visible valley dry. Our River Manifold literally runs dry in the summer then bubbles up again a few miles along. When the water table rises the river returns over its whole length. None of these rivers are more than streams by US standards but some have unfeasably deep gorges. That's where their underground caves collapsed to form a steep-sided a gorge. All in an area of just 555 sq miles with the limestone parts less than 1/2 of that.
Nature is amazing. This is out of context but I am guessing that there will soon be a mushroom whose mycellium will break down all the darn plastic people throw in the woods and on the ground. I love Nick's lectures.
You da man, Nick!! I am new to your lecture series and am loving it! You're a great teacher and I love the subject; and, you seem to get quite the workout while teaching! Thanks very much!
Thank you! Fascinating. We have lots of columns like that here (E Central WA) and a layer of it like a floor over most of our property. I have always wondered about them.
What a wonderful teacher! Geology is not an area of interest for me - however Professor Zentner made geology a wonder-filled exploration of the earth. Thank you, thank you, thank you. How fortunate his students must be to have such a dynamic teacher.
Man, I wish I was a geologist so that I could wear heavy-duty work shirts and canvas pants everywhere. But when I get to 42 minutes in the talk, I see that one has to be up to one's shoulders in the icy Yakima River collecting river rocks to earn the privilege. Seriously, another very informative lecture, Nick, and much appreciated by an ex-Seattlelite who used to motorcycle along those rivers and through those hills.
An impressive presentation of a boring subject, made very understandable by an excellent professional. Thank you Sir, for your hard work in teaching us this geological history.
Nick. Just ran across your u tube video on basalt. I was impressed. I may never get to come sit in on your free classes. But with u tube I just did. Thank you. I have just added you to a very short list of teachers that made a difference in my life. Mr Bob bailey Mrs Flynn. Mrs Settlemire Mr Jim Goode and the greatest teacher I had for 21 years my great grandfather Roscoe Coleman Gilbert. Like you they made learning fun held my attention and left an impression on my mind. That I have carried in my heart ever since. Great grand dad at the end of the day would ask me what I had learned that day. I would tell him what he had taught me that day. And with the most beautiful smile you can imagine would clap his hands together and say good you have not wasted the day. And would always say whatever you're doing working or learning remember they are both the same. Always focus and pay attention to detail. Any job worth doing working or learning is worth doing well. Take pride in your work as well as in learning. Never do anything halfway. Any job or learning is worth doing well. Thank you for being one of those rare and beautiful human beings that people take with them in their hearts forever. Because of you I have not wasted the day. God bless you.
Great lecture. For me this is a fascinating subject, and I can't imagine anyone not being captivated by it, but you also present this so well that anyone could get hooked on geology or topography. Must seek out more NOW.
Just fantastic. The geological picture of where I've grown up. As a paddle and lover of rivers, I would have never have thought these rivers are as old as they are. Thank you again Nick Zentner and Central Washington U.
These lectures are WONDERFUL! I live in BC and wish you'd talk about Garibaldi (volcanoes) and the Fraser River I ancient?). You are w superb teacher. My goodness.
I've enjoyed learning about the geology of the Pacific Northwest. Thank for making learning exciting! Have you researched the area of Southern Oregon/Northern California, where the Cascades meet with the Siskiyou's? I would be very interested in what you have to say about the history and what we can expect in the near ( 20y) future.
I stumbled on your lectures accidentally and was so engrossed I had to put down my crochet to give you my undivided attention...and I don’t even do that for my fav shows. Very well presented...makes me want to fly to Wa to see all this. Thank you for sharing your lectures...I’ll watch these multiple times.
Sitting in my favorite, uncomfortable chair. The yard still needs cleaning from Hurricane Michael which spent several hours time, running up and down my driveway. I live 60 miles north of the Florida line. Watching your class. Enjoying it immensely. You are gifted. I am 70 and have a short attention span, but you overcame that. Thanks.....
Nick you rock! I made a voyage to the Liberty area earlier this year and was amazed at the geology you had talked about in an earlier lecture. I should probably look into sitting into a lecture one of these days! Keep up the good work!
I'm from Oklahoma. My job sent me to Oregon for a couple of weeks every year and I loved the drive once I got out of Nebraska. I watched this mans videos prior to traveling and was able to appreciate the paradise I was in knowing how things got the way they are. All we have to look at in the plains states are cows, oil wells, corn and wheat.
This was great fun and so informative! I have lots of family in that region and have visited many times. This gives me new appreciation for what I see.
I visited Washington for several months years ago and saw all the lava layers and lava hills in central Washington. Your lecture answered all my questions about the area. You did a great presentation and kept it interesting all the way thru. Thanks.
This was an amazing presentation! .... I will certainly be re-watching, maybe a few times... I can't wait to road trip and try to find some of the evidence stated in this lecture. Thank you somuch for the education, it's truly inspiring 😀👍
Not the area I live, but a subject dear to me. Mother was a geology hobbyist when I was a kid and I grew up on the fringes of the Yellowstone plateau in western Montana. It's stuck with me my life and I approaching 70. Good job.
This is my second lecture of yours. I love them I’m going to watch more. I love making maps and am planning on moving to Longview WA. I live in Kansas City Missouri right now but I love Washington!
10* To all the hill crawler and valley walkers, of geologists past and present, ... an excellent presentation about land, wind, water, ice age glaciers, glacier floodings, lava bed flows, .... Everybody's piece of research, rocks, and presentation provides all the pennies and nickels to make a shiny gold dollar presentation.
nick, please explore 3 peaks, they are grano-dirite with andecite . 3 peaks is a free standing mountain due west of wynoochee falls. the main lake is over 660 ft deep. it is an old yellowstone caldera that the basalt is gone from, but the andecite and diorite live on at 4000 ft, there are great 1000 + ft vertical faces that you can hold onto a noble fit and grab a piece of andecite bed rock from its roots
Well I found you courtesy of the RU-vid algorithm a couple of days ago. This is my 2nd video of yours and I have enjoyed them both. I shall be working my way through your back catalogue. I'm envious of those who get to see these live, being in the UK I have no chance of that myself. Thank you for your time and excellent teaching skills.
