#geomythology

It's been nearly 50 years since geologist and author Dorothy Vitaliano coined the term "geomythology". This refers to the study of oral traditions from around the world that explain geological and other natural phenomena through metaphor and myth. Geomythology also involves investigating how pre-scientific cultures interpreted the geological and fossil phenomena they encountered in the world around them.

There are many benefits to this work. One is that it confirms how much knowledge and insight existed in pre-scientific cultures. Another is that a knowledge of local geomythology can help palaeontologists to identify and study important fossil sites.

Mountain with a Hole in the Top

The Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians tells a tale from long ago about the animal-people and the man-people. This shortened version of the story was told by Ellen Crispen, a Cow Creek descendant, to historian W. K Peery.

A very long time ago, the animal-people and the man-people shared the same language. They lived in the shadow of a snow-capped mountain. The bear, deer, panther and elk shared the mountain area with the man-people, and they lived in peace. An evil chief arose among the man-people, and he believed he was greater than Old Man God. He turned the man-people against the animal-people. He ordered them to kill the animal-people. The chief of the animal-people sought the guidance of their god, Tamanous, who told them to flee. The wildcat remained behind because he wanted to become chief of the animal-people after Chief Bear left. Man-chief was told that all the animals had fled. He went ouside and saw wildcat. He decided he did not like wildcat, and picked him up and burned off his tail.

Tamanous was very angry that wildcat was hurt. Suddenly, he caused a great wind to blow from the top of the mountain. Trees fell, and man could not breathe the hot wind. Black smoke rolled over the mountain top. Fire came out of the top. The mountain flew into the air, and then landed down on the earth with a sound like thunder that shook everything. The mountain no longer had a top. The man-people were all dead. Over time, water filled the great hole in the top. Tamanous decided to put the souls of the man-people in the big water hole at the top of the mountain. The animal-people eventually returned, but they could no longer speak the same language as the man-people. Old man God told the man-people to never return to the hole on the top of the mountain.

This story is an example of geomythology. The story is an ancient explanation of the formation of Crater Lake caldera in south-central Oregon. Crater Lake, at a depth of 592 meters (1,943 feet) is the deepest lake in the US and ninth deepest in the world. The eruption of Mount Mazma that created the caldera occurred about 6,000 to 8,000 years ago, and stories of the event live on in ancient myths. Although myths like this one include metaphor and supernatural elements, they can still give us some insight to past geologic events. So, the next time you read or hear an ancient story, remember that the roots of that story may be based on eyewitness accounts of real geologic events of the past.

-Amy

References:

http://www.cowcreek.com/the-mountain-with-a-hole-on-top

http://www.craterlakeinstitute.com/online-library/klamath-indians-southern-oreogn/myths-crater-lake.htm

http://www.stanford.edu/dept/HPS/MayorGeomythology.pdf