Educational Media Reviews Online

Mystery of the Megaflood is a visually stunning documentary of the search for the origin of the bizarre landscape in Washington State known as the “Scablands.” A startling hypothesis by geologist J. Harlen Bentz in the 1920s, suggested a cataclysmic flood and fast evolutionary change as the cause. For many years the traditional scientific community scorned Bentz, but later discoveries revealed that an Ice Age lake suddenly burst causing 1,000 foot floodwaters to wash from Montana to the Pacific directly through the area. In 1979 he was awarded the Penrose Medal, the highest award from the Geological Society of America. Recent events such as a smaller glacial dam burst in Iceland in 1996 and advances in experimental hydraulics further vindicate Bentz and provide fresh insight into the “Scablands” geology.

Like many PBS Nova science productions the visuals and sound are impressive and professional. Computer graphics depicting the theoretical flood complement the copious amount of aerial shots. Some additional features include closed captions and a described video for the visually impaired. On the program’s website there are additional resources including interviews, interactive maps, a complete transcript, and instructional handouts (also on DVD-ROM).

Mystery of the Megaflood is much better as a history of scientific discovery and of collaboration across countries and disciplines than as a comprehensive geological examination of the “Scablands.” Many of the parts are a bit slow with added dramatic tension, which would benefit younger audiences and better pique their interest in the field of geology. The length of the program may not leave much time for discussion or use of the teaching materials unless used over multiple or long classes.

Recommended for general collections and institutions that offer degrees in earth science or geology.