Cataclysms and controversy: Aspects of the geomorphology of the Columbia River Gorge

By:  and 
Edited by: Ian Madin and Rebecca Dorsey

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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.

Study Area

Publication type Book chapter
Publication Subtype Book Chapter
Title Cataclysms and controversy: Aspects of the geomorphology of the Columbia River Gorge
Year Published 2009
Language English
Publisher Geological Society of America
Publisher location Boulder, Colo.
Contributing office(s) Oregon Water Science Center
Description 14 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Monograph
Larger Work Title Volcanoes to vineyards: Geologic field trips through the dynamic landscape of the Pacific Northwest
First page 237
Last page 251
Country United States
State Oregon, Washington
Other Geospatial Columbia River gorge
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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