Rahul Sharma (Editor)

Slumgullion Earthflow

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Designated
  
1983

Nearest city
  
Slumgullion Earthflow Slumgullion Pass and Earthflow

Location
  

The Slumgullion Earthflow in the San Juan Mountains in Hinsdale County, Colorado has been a National Natural Landmark since 1983. It is also a Colorado Natural Area and an Area of Critical Environmental Concern.

Slumgullion Earthflow Slumgullion Earthflow Colorado Impossible Geology

The earthflow, a slow moving landslide, crawled down the valley about 700 years ago creating the 4 miles (6.4 km) long and 2,000 feet (610 m) wide mass. The earthflow lies a few miles south east of Lake City. The landmark site covers 1,291 acres (522 ha) and is owned by the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. It is "a striking example of mass wasting (the movement of large masses of earth material)." Lake San Cristobal was dammed by the earthflow. The earthflow has been moving continuously for about 300 years over older stable rock. It moves at a rate of about 7 meters (23 feet) per year.

Slumgullion Earthflow Slumgullion Earthflow Colorado Impossible Geology

The area is a habitat for elk and deer.

Slumgullion Earthflow httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsthu

Slumgullion Earthflow San Juans

References

Slumgullion Earthflow Wikipedia