Lake Bonneville and the Wasatch Fault – new theories and new paradigms yield insights into present-day hazards in other regions of the world

Abstract

Three new theories challenge the assumptions underlying 150 years of research regarding Lake Bonneville and extend and redefine the history of this late-Pleistocene/early-Holocene lake. These new theories have relevance to current-day hazards in many areas of the globe and are important to our understanding of the climate of the western United States. The lake’s level history and shorelines have presented a confusing array of conflicting data, which has universally and incorrectly been attributed to abrupt and temporary climate oscillations. The Earthquake-induced Surging Theory explains misunderstood lake features, extends the lake level data back to 40kya, and explains the Bonneville Flood, confirming a 17.4kya (cal) date for that event. The Isostatic Rebound Pop Seiche Theory explains the “Intermediate Shorelines” first identified by G.K. Gilbert with a shocking twist regarding timing. This theory teaches us something of importance regarding glacial lakes forming today. The Bear River Exclusion Theory explains the anomalously rapid fall from the Provo Level and resolves the early/late Provo Level controversy. This last theory is going to be important for addressing the future of the Great Salt Lake.