- The Vashon Glaciation, Vashon Stadial or Vashon Stade is a local term for the most recent period of very cold climate in which during its peak, glaciers covered the entire Salish Sea as well as present day Seattle, Tacoma, Olympia and other surrounding areas in the western part of present-day Washington of the United States of America. This occurred during a cold period around the world known as the last glacial period. This was the most recent cold period of the Quaternary glaciation, the time period in which the arctic ice sheets have existed. The Quaternary Glaciation is part of the Late Cenozoic Ice Age, which began 33.9 million years ago and is ongoing. It is the time period in which the Antarctic ice cap has existed.
- Lime Kiln Point (wa100.dnr.wa.gov)
When you hear the word ‘kiln’ you probably think of hot flames and brightly colored pottery. What you may not know is that kilns are also used to make ‘lime’, an important ingredient for mortar and cement. Lime Kiln Point hosted a productive cement industry between 1860 and 1935, with workers laboring as much as ten hours a day at the kilns to produce thousands of barrels of lime per year. This popular 41-acre State Park is also home to an historic lighthouse that dates back to 1919. The lighthouse is still used for navigation by ships sailing through Haro Strait. The beautiful rugged coastline here makes Lime Kiln Point an excellent place—some say one of the best in the world—to watch orcas, gray whales, and porpoises during their yearly migration from May to September. Settle down at one of the viewing areas and enjoy the spectacle!
- The Vashon Glaciation lasted from about 19,000 – 16,000 BP (Before Present – present defined as January 1, 1950 for this scale).