ABSTRACT This fi eld trip guide explores the interactions among the geologic evolution, hydrology, and fluvial geomorphology of the central Oregon Cascade Range. Key topics include the geologic control of hydrologic regimes on both the wet and dry sides of the Cascade Range crest, groundwater dynamics and interaction between surface and groundwater in young volcanic arcs, and interactions between rivers and lava flows. As we trace the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers back to source springs high in the young volcanic rocks of the Cascade Range, there is abundant evidence for the large permeability of young lava flows, as manifested in streams that dewater into lava flows, lava-dammed lakes in closed basins, and rivers that emerge from single springs. These dynamics contrast sharply with the older, lower permeability Western Cascades terrane and associated runoff-dominated fluvial systems. On the east side of the Cascades we encounter similar hydrologic characteristics resulting in complex interactions between surface water and groundwater as we follow the Deschutes River downstream to its confluence with the Crooked River. Here, deep canyons have cut through most of the permeable part of the geologic section, have been invaded by multiple large intracanyon lava flows, and are the locus of substantial regional groundwater discharge. The groundwater and surface-water interaction in the Deschutes Basin is further complicated by surface-water diversions and an extensive network of leaking irrigation canals. Our west-to-east transect offers an unparalleled opportunity to examine the co-evolution of the geology and hydrology of an active volcanic arc.

ABSTRACT The John Day Formation of central and eastern Oregon, contains a widespread assemblage of both ash-flow and airfall tuffs, yet only a few corresponding caldera sources have been identified in the region. Investigators have long speculated on the sources of tuffs in the John Day Formation and have suggested that these pyroclastic rocks were vented from now buried eruptive centers in or marginal to a nascent Cascade Range. Recent detailed geologic mapping in the John Day and Clarno Formations, however, indicates the presence of at least three large-scale rhyolite caldera complexes centered along the northeast-trending axis of the Blue Mountains. This field guide describes a three-day geologic transect, from the scenic high desert of central Oregon eastward across the axis of the Blue Mountains, that will examine the physical volcanology and geologic setting of the 41.50-39.35 Ma Wildcat Mountain caldera exposed along the crest of the Ochoco Mountains, the 29.56 Ma Crooked River caldera at Prineville, and the 29.8 to 28.1 Ma Tower Mountain caldera near Ukiah.

Abstract The Middle Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG) is the youngest and smallest continental flood basalt province on Earth, covering over 210,000 km 2 of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho and having a volume of 210,000 km 3 . A well-established regional stratigraphic framework built upon seven formations, and using physical and compositional characteristics of the flows, has allowed the areal extent and volume of the individual flows and groups of flows to be calculated and correlated with their respective dikes and vents. CRBG flows can be subdivided into either compound flows or sheet flows, and are marked by a set of well-defined physical features that originated during their emplacement and solidification. This field trip focuses on the Lewiston Basin, in southeastern Washington, western Idaho, and northeastern Oregon, which contains the Chief Joseph dike swarm, where classic features of both flows and dikes can be easily observed, as well as tectonic features typical of those found elsewhere in the flood basalt province.

ABSTRACT The Miocene Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG) is the youngest and smallest continental flood basalt province on Earth. This flood basalt province is a succession of compositionally diverse volcanic rocks that record the passage of the Yellowstone plume beneath eastern Oregon. The compositionally and texturally varied suite of volcanic rocks are considered part of the La Grande–Owyhee eruptive axis (LOEA), an ~300-km-long, north-northwest–trending, Middle Miocene to Pliocene volcanic belt that extends along the eastern margin of the Columbia River flood basalt province. Volcanic rocks erupted from and preserved within the LOEA form an important regional stratigraphic link between the flood basalt–dominated Columbia Plateau to the north, the north and bimodal basalt-rhyolite volcanic fields of the Snake River Plain to the east, the Owyhee Plateau to the south, and the High Lava Plains to the south and east; the latter two have time transgressive rhyolite centers that young to the east and west, respectively. This field-trip guide details a four-day geologic excursion that will explore the stratigraphic and geochemical relationships among mafic rocks of the CRBG and coeval and compositionally diverse silicic rocks associated with the early trace of the Yellowstone plume and High Lava Plains in eastern Oregon. The trip on Day 1 begins in Portland then traverses across the western axis of the Blue Mountains, highlighting exposures of the widespread, Middle Miocene Dinner Creek Welded Tuff and aspects of the Picture Gorge Basalt lava flows and northwest-striking feeder dikes situated in the central part of the CRBG province. Travel on Day 2 progresses eastward toward the eastern margin of the LOEA, examining a transition linking the Columbia River Basalt province with a northwestward-younging magmatic trend of silicic volcanism of the High Lava Plains in eastern Oregon. Initial field stops on Day 2 focus on the volcanic stratigraphy northeast of the town of Burns, which includes regionally extensive Middle to Late Miocene ash-flow tuffs and lava flows assigned to the Strawberry Volcanics. Subsequent stops on Day 2 examine key outcrops demonstrating the intercalated nature of Middle Miocene tholeiitic CRBG flood basalts, temporally coeval prominent ash-flow tuffs, and “Snake River–type” large-volume rhyolite lava flows cropping out along the Malheur River. The Day 3 field route navigates to southern parts of the LOEA, where CRBG rocks are associated in space and time with lesser known and more complex silicic volcanic stratigraphy forming Middle Miocene, large-volume, bimodal basalt-rhyolite vent complexes. Key stops will provide a broad overview of the structure and stratigraphy of the Middle Miocene Mahogany Mountain caldera and of the significance of intercalated sedimentary beds and Middle to Late Miocene calc-alkaline lava flows of the Owyhee basalt. Initial stops on Day 4 will highlight exposures of Middle to Late Miocene silicic ash-flow tuffs, rhyolite domes, and calc-alkaline lava flows overlying the CRBG across the northern and central parts of the LOEA. The later stops on Day 4 examine more silicic lava flows and breccias that are overlain by early CRBG-related rhyolite eruptions. The return route to Portland on Day 4 traverses the Columbia River gorge westward from Baker City. The return route between Baker and Portland on Day 4 follows the Columbia River gorge and passes prominent basalt outcrops of large volume tholeiitic flood lavas of the Grande Ronde, Wanapum, and Saddle Mountains Formations of the CRBG. These sequences of basaltic and basaltic andesite lavas are typical of the well-studied flood basalt dominated Columbia Plateau, and interbedded silicic and calc-alkaline lavas are conspicuously absent. Correlation between the far-traveled CRBG lavas and calcalkaline and silicic lavas considered during the excursion relies on geochemical fingerprinting and dating of the mafic flows and dating of sparse intercalated ashes.

ABSTRACT Basalt flows of the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG) host a series of regionally extensive aquifers between western Idaho and the Pacific Ocean that serve as an important source for domestic, municipal, agricultural, and industrial water supply throughout much of this area, and are the sole source for some communities in the Willamette Valley. Rapid growth and increased pumping have resulted in significant water level declines in some locales in the Willamette Valley, forcing some communities to develop other water sources, and/or develop aquifer storage and recovery projects to store water in CRBG aquifers. The CRBG generally consists of multiple concordant, tabular sheet flows. The primary water-bearing horizons within the CRBG are associated the vesicular and/ or brecciated flow top and flow bottom (pillow/hyaloclastite) structures that form the interflow zone between two flows. The interiors of the CRBG flows typically have limited vertical permeability and act as aquitards, creating a series of layered confined aquifers. The dominant groundwater flow pathway in the CRBG aquifer system is along these individual, laterally extensive, interflow zones. Tectonic structures may modify the dominant flow regime in the CRBG by offsetting or otherwise disturbing originally laterally continuous interflow zones. Faults result in a wide spectrum of effects on flow in the CRBG aquifers depending on the nature of the fault. The hydraulic properties inherent to CRBG aquifers, including high degree of confinement, low bulk permeability and limited recharge have led to overdraft conditions in many areas. Conversely, these characteristics create favorable conditions for aquifer storage and recovery system development in the central Willamette Valley and Tualatin Basin.