Streams are swift and braided, often originate from glaciers, and carry heavy sediment loads. Lakes are more numerous in the southern portion of the area. Soils on lower slopes and in valleys over permafrost are typically poorly drained. Wetlands occupy 7 percent of the area. Occurrence of wildfire is low.
Snow avalanches are frequent in the winter.
Human use of the area is minimal, mainly consisting of hunting and fishing. Tanaina and Ahtna Athabaskans historically roamed this Section. This Section, comprised of steep, rugged mountains of volcanic origin, is extensively covered by ice fields and glaciers. Lithology and Stratigraphy. This Section consists of island-arc volcaniclastic assemblages associated with other Cenozoic rocks.