Kolks, a kind of underwater tornado that occurs in deep flows of fast-moving water, tore huge potholes in the scablands and probably also flung debris right out of the floodwaters.

It took only 2 days for this water to change many parts of the Northwest landscapes drastically. There were, however, possible multiple large floods ranging to even 100 different events. Scientists have studied this event to help them explain some characteristics of Mars.