Volcanoes to Vineyards: Geologic Field Trips through the Dynamic Landscape of the Pacific Northwest
This volume contains guides for 33 geological field trips offered in conjunction with the October 2009 GSA Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon. Showcasing the region’s geological diversity, the peer-reviewed papers included here span topics ranging from accreted terrains and mantle plumes to volcanoes, floods, and vineyard terroir. Locations visited throughout Oregon, Washington, and Idaho encompass Astoria to Zillah. More than just a series of maps, the accompanying descriptions, observations, and conclusions offer new insights to the geologic processes and history of the Pacific Northwest insights that will inspire readers to put their boots on the evidence (or perhaps sip it from a glass of Pinot!) as they develop their own understanding of this remarkable and dynamic corner of the world.
Cataclysms and controversy—Aspects of the geomorphology of the Columbia River Gorge
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Published:January 01, 2009
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CiteCitation
Jim E. O’Connor, Scott F. Burns, 2009. "Cataclysms and controversy—Aspects of the geomorphology of the Columbia River Gorge", Volcanoes to Vineyards: Geologic Field Trips through the Dynamic Landscape of the Pacific Northwest, Jim E. O’Connor, Rebecca J. Dorsey, Ian P. Madin
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Abstract
Landslides and floods of lava and water tremendously affected the Columbia River during its long history of transecting the Cascade Volcanic Arc. This field trip touches on aspects of the resulting geology of the scenic Columbia River Gorge, including the river-blocking Bonneville landslide of ~550 years ago and the great late-Pleistocene Missoula floods. Not only did these events create great landscapes, but they inspired great geologists. Mid-nineteenth century observations of the Columbia River and Pacific Northwest by James Dwight Dana and John Strong Newberry helped germinate the “school of fluvial” erosion later expanded upon by the southwestern United States topographic and geologic surveys. Later work on features related to the Missoula floods framed the career of J Harlen Bretz in one of the great geologic controversies of the twentieth century.
- Cascade Range
- Cenozoic
- Columbia River
- erosion
- field trips
- fluvial features
- geomorphology
- Gilliam County Oregon
- gorges
- guidebook
- Hood River County Oregon
- Lake Missoula
- landslides
- mass movements
- North America
- Oregon
- paleofloods
- Pleistocene
- Quaternary
- rivers
- road log
- United States
- valleys
- Washington
- water erosion