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From Terranes to Terrains: Geologic Field Guides on the Construction and Destruction of the Pacific Northwest
GSA Field Guide

From Terranes to Terrains: Geologic Field Guides on the Construction and Destruction of the Pacific Northwest
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Editor(s)
Adam M. Booth
Adam M. Booth
Department of Geology, Portland State University, P.O. Box 751 Portland, Oregon 97207-0751, USA
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Anita L. Grunder
Anita L. Grunder
College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences Oregon State University 104 CEOAS Administration Building Corvallis, Oregon 97331-5503, USA
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Geological Society of America
Volume
62
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1130/FLD062
Copyright:
© 2021 The Geological Society of America. All rights reserved.
ISBN electronic:
9780813756622
ISBN print:
9780813700625
Publication date:
September 24, 2021

The eight field trips in this volume, associated with GSA Connects 2021 held in Portland, Oregon, USA, reflect the rich and varied geological legacy of the Pacific Northwest. The western margin of North America has had a complex subduction and transform history throughout the Phanerozoic, building a collage of terranes. The terrain has been modified by Cenozoic sedimentation, magmatism, and faulting related to Cascadia subduction, passage of the Yellowstone hot spot, and north and westward propagation of the Basin and Range province. The youngest flood basalt province on Earth also inundated the landscape, while the mighty Columbia watershed kept pace with arc construction and funneled epic ice-age floods from the craton to the coast. Additional erosive processes such as landslides continue to shape this dynamic geological wonderland.

Book Chapter

Arc versus river—The geology of the Columbia River Gorge

Author(s)
Jim E. O’Connor*
Jim E. O’Connor*
U.S. Geological Survey, 2130 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA
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;
Ray E. Wells*
Ray E. Wells*
U.S. Geological Survey, 2130 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA
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;
Scott E.K. Bennett*
Scott E.K. Bennett*
U.S. Geological Survey, 2130 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA
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;
Charles M. Cannon*
Charles M. Cannon*
U.S. Geological Survey, 2130 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA
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;
Lydia M. Staisch*
Lydia M. Staisch*
U.S. Geological Survey, 2130 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, Oregon, 97201, USA
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;
James L. Anderson*
James L. Anderson*
Geology Department, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, 200 West Kawilli Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96270, USA
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;
Anthony F. Pivarunas*
Anthony F. Pivarunas*
U.S. Geological Survey, Building 19, Moffett Field, California 94035, USA
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;
Gabriel W. Gordon*
Gabriel W. Gordon*
U.S. Geological Survey, 2130 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
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Richard J. Blakely*
Richard J. Blakely*
U.S. Geological Survey, 2130 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97201, USA
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Mark E. Stelten*
Mark E. Stelten*
U.S. Geological Survey, Building 19, Moffett Field, California 94035, USA
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;
Russell C. Evarts†
Russell C. Evarts†
U.S. Geological Survey, Building 19, Moffett Field, California 94035, USA

†Deceased

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Doi:
https://doi.org/10.1130/2021.0062(05)
  • Published:
    September 24, 2021
Publication history
July 28, 2021
November 15, 2021

ABSTRACT

The Columbia River Gorge is the Columbia River’s long-held yet evolving passage through the volcanic arc of the Cascade Range. The globally unique setting of a continental-scale river bisecting an active volcanic arc at the leading edge of a major plate boundary creates a remarkable setting where dynamic volcanic and tectonic processes interact with diverse and energetic fluvial processes. This three-day field trip explores several elements of the gorge and its remarkable geologic history—cast here as a contest between regional tectonic and volcanic processes building and displacing landscapes, and the relentless power of the Columbia River striving to maintain a smooth passage to the sea.

DEDICATION

Dedicated to Russell C. Evarts (7 April 1947–11 July 2017) and his contributions to Pacific Northwest geology. Russ Evarts devoted most of his 30-year career with the U.S. Geological Survey to geologic mapping of Oregon and Washington. His thorough geologic mapping of the near-vertical terrain of the western Columbia River Gorge underpins much of what is reported in this guide and continues to inspire our studies of the geology of the Pacific Northwest.

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