Geology of the Loess Hills Region

Authors

E. Arthur Bettis III, Iowa State UniversityFollow
Jean C. Prior, Iowa State UniversityFollow
George R. Hallberg, Iowa State UniversityFollow
Richard L. Handy, Iowa State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Research

Keywords

Quaternary geology, loess, Loess Hills, landscape development, landuse hazards, soil engineering

Abstract

The narrow ridges and steep bluffs which extend in a narrow band along the Missouri Valley form the Loess Hills region. These bluffs stand in sharp contrast to the flat-lying Missouri River floodplain. The unique ridge forms are composed of thick accumulations of late Wisconsinan wind-blown silt (loess). Older Quaternary deposits as well as Cretaceous and Pennsylvanian bedrock outcrop beneath the loess in the region. The intricate texture of the topography results from the combined effects of eolian deposition, fluvial erosion, and mass-wasting. Physical properties of loess allow it to maintain nearly vertical faces when exposed. These properties also produce special problems: slope instability, severe gullying, and high erosion races. The high relief and rough terrain provide slope aspects which vary widely in exposure to sun, wind, and moisture. These factors have produced a mosaic of microenvironments noted for their unusually xeric ecology.

Publication Date

September 1986

Journal Title

Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

93

Issue

3

First Page

78

Last Page

85

Copyright

©1986 Iowa Academy of Science, Inc.

Language

en

File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Bettis, E. Arthur III; Prior, Jean C.; Hallberg, George R.; and Handy, Richard L. (1986) "Geology of the Loess Hills Region," Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 93(3), 78-85.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol93/iss3/4