The geologic history of the Pacific Northwest is as unique as the region itself. Created via tectonic plate movements and accretionary events, the original terranes were subsequently covered by sedimentary layers, ash, lavas, and glacial debris. These processes, begun millions of years ago, continue to affect the area, as seen in the eruption of Mount St. Helens and catastrophic Japanese tsunamis created by earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest. Understanding of the regions geology has led to new insight in volcanic eruption prediction, disaster preparedness, the environmental effects of mining, and urban development as it relates to geologic hazards. The Orrs detailed and informative writing style appeals to those with geologic training as well as beginners with an interest in the region. Each chapter covers a specific subregion, allowing for maximum flexibility both in the classroom and for the casual reader. The authors central theme that continental plate tectonics are the fundamental processes of Northwest geologic history permeates throughout the book.

Rocks, Minerals, and Geology of the Pacific Northwest highlights100 rocks, minerals, and fossil types found in Oregon and Washington. Each entry has color photography that shows a range of possibilities in appearance and a description of the defining physical properties and textures. Lists of minerals organized by other physical properties like habit, hardness, and cleavage are included. Rocks, Minerals, and Geology of the Pacific Northwest also includes 40 landscape features viewable along trails in Washington and Oregon that will empower hikers to make observations and interpretations about how these features came to be. The essential reference for rockhounds, hikers, climbers, and geology enthusiasts More than 400 photographs, illustrations, tables, and maps showcase and explain everything from minuscule crystals to planetary tectonics Interprets the histories of dominant landscape features along regional hiking trails Profiles more than 100 minerals and rocks in detailed entries with photos, descriptions, identification graphics, and mini indexes Covers the geologic composition and 13 physiographic regions of Washington and Oregon

"This volume contains guides that geographically focus on the Seattle, Washington, area within the Puget lowland, and also includes descriptions of trips in the Cascade Range and the region east of the Cascades"--

The Pacific Northwest is a region defined by its geology as much as its rugged coastline, drippy westside forests, fertile farms, and canyoned eastside grasslands. These landscapes have been forged by volcanoes, crumpled by faults and sculpted by water and ice. But the Northwest's geologic DNA is rooted in volcanic activity. From the ancient lavas of Washington's Selkirks that freed the planet from a global ice age, to the world-class flood-basalts that dominate the Columbia Basin, to the restless peaks of the High Cascades, the thunder of volcanic eruptions echos through the ages. In Living with Thunder, geologist and photographer Ellen Morris Bishop offers a fascinating and up-to-date geologic survey of the Northwest?Washington, Oregon, northern California, and western Idaho. New discoveries include Smith Rock as part of Oregon's largest (and most extinct) volcano, portraits of Mount Hood's 1793-1795 eruptions, and new ideas about the origin of the Columbia River basalts, and the course of the ancestral Columbia River. Intended as an introduction for the general reader and geological non-specialist, Living with Thunder enlivens Northwest geological history by combining engaging science writing with the author's stunning color photographs. In addition, color maps and time charts help guide the reader through time. The book presents evidence of changing ecosystems and ancient life, as well as the Northwest's exceptional record of past climate changes and the implications for our future. The title harks to the Klamath Indian recounting of Mount Mazama's cataclysmic eruption, and the book also examines the confluence between scientific findings and Native American documentation of several major geologic events. An important work by a gifted scientist and storyteller, Living with Thunder offers a key to understanding the Northwest's unique, long-term volcanic heritage.

A puzzling tsunami entered Japanese history in January 1700. Samurai, merchants, and villagers wrote of minor flooding and damage. Some noted having felt no earthquake; they wondered what had set off the waves but had no way of knowing that the tsunami was spawned during an earthquake along the coast of northwestern North America. This orphan tsunami would not be linked to its parent earthquake until the mid-twentieth century, through an extraordinary series of discoveries in both North America and Japan. The Orphan Tsunami of 1700, now in its second edition, tells this scientific detective story through its North American and Japanese clues. The story underpins many of today�s precautions against earthquake and tsunami hazards in the Cascadia region of northwestern North America. The Japanese tsunami of March 2011 called attention to these hazards as a mirror image of the transpacific waves of January 1700. Hear Brian Atwater on NPR with Renee Montagne http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4629401

This heavily illustrated book contains descriptions and geologic interpretations of photographs (mostly aerial) illustrating the power and magnitude of repeated Ice Age flooding in the Pacific Northwest, as recently as 14,000 years ago. The scale of Ice Age floods was so huge that today it is often difficult to see and appreciate the power and magnitude of such megafloods from ground level. However, from the air, landforms created by the floods often come into clear focus. Aerial images, obtained via unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) as well as fixed-wing airplane, add a new perspective on evidence gathered by dozens of scientists since 1923.

In Geology Underfoot in Western Washington, the most recent addition to the Geology Underfoot series, author and geoscientist Dave Tucker narrates western Washington�s geologic tales, covering sites from it�s low-lying shorelines to its rugged mountaintops. The book�s 22 chapters, or vignettes, lead you to easily accessible stops along Washington�s highways�and some trails, too.

The geologic history of the Pacific Northwest is as unique as the region itself. Completely reorganized and revised, the Third Edition of Geology of the Pacific Northwest brings the area’s volcanism, earthquakes, tsunamis, and geologic environmental issues into sharp focus. William and Elizabeth Orr provide a singular perspective and explore the Pacific Northwest writ large, including Southeast Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and northern California. Descriptive and detailed photographs of the formations and terranes of each subregion are included, along with color plates that illuminate and expose the fundamental processes that shaped Pacific Northwest geology. The text reveals the geological origins, geographic features, phenomena, and natural resources of areas throughout the region. As urban development continues to expand in the tectonically active Pacific Northwest, environmental concerns and geologic hazards will grow more and more important. The authors’ central theme that continental plate tectonics are the fundamental processes of Northwest geologic history leads to deeper understanding of the region’s geology and new insights in volcanic eruption prediction, disaster preparedness, and the environmental effects of mining.