Broadcast Outage: We're investigating a broadcast transmission failure affecting the San Luis Valley from Antonito in the south to Salida in the north. We're working to resolve this issue. You can stream our live broadcast HERE or via the RMPBS+ App.

Stream live and on-demand content now on our new app:
RMPBS+

Help tell more stories in 2026 - make a year-end gift!

Give Now
Nick on the Rocks show's poster
Science and Nature
Nick on the Rocks

Waterville Plateau

Geologist Nick Zentner, Senior Geology Lecturer, Central Washington University, leads viewers on adventures through WA's diverse landscapes, from massive lava flows and the planet's biggest Ice Age waterfall to wandering mountains and a flank of Mt. Rainier that traveled to Tacoma. Special thanks to CWU as the original creator and collaborator for Nick on the Rocks.

RMPBS Passport

Please log in to your PBS Passport account to watch this video

Become a Member

Waterville Plateau

Season 5 Episode 8 | 5m 58s | CC

Just north of Withrow, Washington, the pancake-flat farms and fields are dotted by massive mysterious basalt boulders. These rocks, picked up and moved by ice sheets in the last Ice Age, help Nick visualize the moraine of a giant bygone glacier.

Nick on the Rocks

Watch more episodes

See more
See more

Subscribe to Our Newsletters

Get trusted Colorado stories, programs, and events from Rocky Mountain PBS straight to your inbox.

Set Your Preferences >