A 4500-year record of large floods on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Arizona

摘要: A sequence of flood deposits left by the Colorado River in Grand Canyon, Arizona, provides evidence at least 15 floods with peak discharges greater than $$5500 m^{3}sec^{-1}$$ over last 4500 yr. Ten during 2000-2300 yr had $$6800 m^{3}sec^{-1}$$. One flood, 1600-1200 ago, a discharge exceeding $$14,000 m^{3}sec{-1}$$, flow rate more twice largest gaged flood. This record flooding is one longest for major U.S. river, and, combined twentieth century floods, allows determination frequency and history large that have affected key aspects geomorphology.