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1980s focusing on the origin of the Mima 1890). On the other hand, the Mima mound tion: Geological Society of America Special Paper
490, p. 1–19, https://doi.org/10.1130/2012.2490(00).
mounds within periglacial settings, conclud- controversy cautions that sometimes research- Logan, R.L., and Walsh, T.J., 2009, Mima Mounds
ing that such a model was insufficient for ers may be biased by their specialty. To Formation and Their Implications for Climate
explaining the Puget Lowland mounds and advance, we must be prepared to consider Change: Northwest Scientific Association, 81st
other sites (Washburn, 1988). With the abun- data beyond our field of expertise and inte- Annual Meeting, p. 38–39.
dance of competing models, some have pro- grate it into our own. Paeth, R.C., 1967, Depositional Origin of the Mima
posed a polygenetic approach, yet even these Mounds [M.S. thesis]: Corvallis, Oregon, Ore-
gon State University, 61 p.
models can be based on a dominant theme REFERENCES CITED Pope, I.E., Pringle, P.T., and Harris, M., 2020,
augmented by lesser models (such as the Barnes, G.W., 1879, The hillocks or mound forma- Investigating the Late-Glacial Tanwax Flood—
Dalquest-Sheffer–based polygenetic model of tions of San Diego, California: American Natu- A Lithologic Study of Sediments in Selected
Johnson and Horwath Burnham, 2012). Even ralist, v. 13, no. 9, p. 565–571, https://doi.org/ Mounded Terraces in the Puget Lowland: Geo-
10.1086/272405.
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so, it remains uncertain if the disparate mound Berg, A.W., 1990, Formation of Mima mounds: A grams, v. 52, no. 6, https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/
fields share a common origin at all, rather seismic hypothesis: Geology, v. 18, p. 281–284, 2020AM-358073.
than causes specific to the site. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1990)018 Pringle, P.T. and Goldstein, B.S., 2002, Deposits,
Representing a host of specialties, these <0281:FOMMAS>2.3.CO;2. erosional features, and flow characteristics of the
models continue to fuel a vibrant controversy, Bretz, J H., 1913, Glaciation of the Puget Sound Re- late-glacial Tanwax Creek-Ohop Creek Valley
flood—A likely source for sediments composing
gion: Washington Geology Survey Bulletin No.
exemplifying the Method of Competing 8., 244 p. the Mima Mounds, Puget Lowland, Washington
Hypotheses (Chamberlin, 1890; Elliott and Chamberlin, T.C., 1890, The method of multiple [abstract]: Geological Society of America
Brook, 2007). Based on the proposition that working hypotheses: The Journal of Geology, Abstracts with Programs, v. 34, no. 5, p. A-89.
rival models enhance research within a scien- v. 15, p. 92–96. [Reprinted in Science, 1964, v. Seifert, C.L., Cox, R.T., Forman, S.L., Foti, T.L.,
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stable/1716334.]
Relict nebkhas (pimple mounds) record pro-
such a fruitful debate for two primary rea- Dalquest, W.W., and Scheffer, V.B., 1942, The ori- longed late Holocene drought in the forested re-
sons. First, the multidisciplinary research gin of the Mima Mounds of western Washing- gion of south-central United States: Quaternary
results in a variety of ideas and enhances cre- ton: The Journal of Geology, v. 50, p. 68–84, Research, v. 71, p. 329–339, https://doi.org/ 10.1016/
ativity, expanding the range of research. https://doi.org/10.1086/625026. j.yqres.2009.01.006.
Conversely, the competing models create a Elliott, L.P., and Brook, B.W., 2007, Revisiting Slusher, D.F., 1967, “Pimple mounds” of Louisiana:
Soil Survey Horizons, v. 8, no. 1, p. 3–5, https://
Chamberlin: Multiple working hypotheses for
check-and-balance system––the expansion of the 21st century: Bioscience, v. 57, no. 7, p. 608– doi.org/10.2136/sh1967.1.0003.
research in one field provides data to be 614, https://doi.org/10.1641/B570708. Tabbutt, K., 2016, Morphology and spatial charac-
accounted for in models held in another disci- Goldstein, B.S., and Pringle, P.T., 2020, The Tanwax- ter of the Mima Mounds, Thurston County,
pline, thereby constraining the range of con- Ohop Valley flood and debris flow, an Ice Age Washington: Northwest Scientific Association,
87th Annual Meeting, p. 91.
jecture on the mounds’ origins. flood from the Cascade Range into the southern Washburn, A.L., 1988, Mima mounds—An evalua-
Puget Lowland and likely source of sediments for
This equilibrium of enhancing geologic the Mima Mounds [abstract]: Geological Society tion of proposed origins with special reference to
thought and constraining speculation gen- of America Abstracts with Programs, v. 52. the Puget Lowlands: Washington Division of
erates a dynamic mode of inquiry. The ready https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2020AM-358056. Geology and Earth Resources Report of Investi-
exchange of information can lead to a rev- Johnson, D.L., and Horwath Burnham, J.L., 2012, gations 29, 53 p.
olutionary development of a debate. Such a Introduction: Overview of concepts, definitions, Manuscript received 18 dec. 2020
and principles of soil mound studies, in Horwath
position is commendable to any controversy Burnham, J.L., and Johnson, D.L., eds., Mima revised Manuscript received 23 Mar. 2021
because it prevents stagnation (Chamberlin, Mounds: The Case for Polygenesis and Bioturba- Manuscript accepted 25 Mar. 2021

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