Assembling the Northwest: A roadside view of Oregon and Washington geology

Marli Miller

University of Oregon

5:30 pm social hour

With its spectacular mountain ranges, lush valleys and tumbling rivers, the Northwest landscape attracts nature lovers and travelers from around the world. But the rain-soaked coast range, snow-covered volcanoes and expansive high desert didn't appear overnight. They formed through a variety of geologic processes over millions of years. UO geologist and photographer Marli Miller will outline the geology of Oregon and Washington as seen along our federal and state highways. Beginning with the plate tectonic setting of the Pacific Northwest, she will describe the process of continental growth that forms the underlying but diverse "basement" of the region and is readily visible in the Coast Range, North Cascades, Okanogan, Klamath, and Blue Mountains. Following that, a photographic "roadtrip" up I-84 and Washington State Highway 14 in the Columbia Gorge will illustrate many of the younger features that make our landscape so unique.

Marli has authored Roadside Geology of Oregon, and and co-authored Roadside Geology of Washington. She will have autographed copies of both books on hand for sale at her presentation.