Geology of the blue mountains region of oregon, idaho, and. Natural history of the blue mountains in northeastern oregon and southwestern washington, published in november of 2018. While modest, the blue mountains still boasts its own beauty. Back then, the implications of plate tectonic theory were only beginning.
The 1902 book summarizes oregon s geology and draws conclusions about the geologic past. The field trip through the high lava plains province of central and southcentral oregon fig. She teaches a variety of courses, including structural geology, field geology, and geophotography. The blue mountains cover eight counties across two states. Between 14 and 16 million years ago, fissure volcanic eruptions in eastern washington, eastern oregon, and western idaho produced enormous volumes of molten columbia river basalt that flowed like water west into the deschutescolumbia plateau province in eastern washington and northeastern oregon, with some lava continuing to flow as far west as the pacific ocean. Geology of the wallowa terrane, blue mountains province, in the. It is entirely free flowing except for the last two miles which are impounded by the lake umatilla formed by the john day dam on the columbia river. Blue mountains, range curving northeastward for 190 mi 310 km from central oregon to southeastern washington, u. Bob carson, of walla walla, captured the essence and mystique of the modest yet endearing mountain range in his new book the blues. Geologists hadnt yet learned that oregons klamath and blue mountains were pieces of. When the distribution of the veins and vein systems, as shown on the map, is examined in detail, it appears at once that there is no well. Blue mountains geology 308 with miles at university of. Rivers slowly cut deep gorges through the sandstone, coal shale and lava rock layers, gradually washing away immense volumes of rock shown in brown on above diagram and producing the blue mountains landscape of today.
The gold belt of the blue mountains of oregon, afb, pages 551 776, 16 plates, 10 figs. Located between the aldrich mountains and central oregon, the ochocos vary from the taller mountains such as lookout mountain in the west, to the john day fossil beds and sutton mountain in the north, to desert in the southeast near burns. Ore bin oregon geology magazine journal oregon department. A comprehensive treatment of the states geologic history, oregon geology moves through oregons regions to closely examine the unique geologic features of each, from the blue mountains to the willamette valley, from the high lava plains to the coast range. Geological history of the blue mountains comleroy road. The blues are a long anticlinal ridge composed mostly of basalt flows. They can be found in colors that range from clear through yellow, orange, pink, red, green, and blue. A pictorial history of gold mining in the blue mountains of eastern oregon, 2007, by howard brooks, baker county historical society, baker city, oreg. Geology of the wallowa terrane, blue mountains province, in. Most of the blue mountains are underlain by the columbia river basalt group crb lava flows, primarily the grande ronde basalt, which erupted around 16.
The book includes biographical sketches of notable geologists. At several spots along the now busy, motorized thoroughfare of i84, travelers can stop and step in actual ruts left by the thousands of oregon trail wagon trains. Carson loves the blue mountains would be an understatement. Covering the largest area of the blue mountains is the sprawling butte lands of the ochoco mountains. The blue mountains, stretching south of walla walla into central oregon, are. Oregon geology book vancouver public library bibliocommons. Geology of the blue mountains region of oregon, idaho, and washington u. Its correlation with the northwestern boundaries of the klamath and blue mountain provinces suggests that these are continuous beneath the cascade volcanic. Geologists hadn t yet learned that oregon s klamath and blue mountains were pieces of fartraveled. Elk in the blue mountains, oregon nikon d7000 duration. Jun 16, 2019 they are not the tallest mountains in the west, nor probably the prettiest, but for many people living in northeastern oregon and southeastern washington, the blue mountains are cherished as. Bob carson of walla walla captured the essence and mystique of the modest yet endearing mountain range in his new book the blues. Statistics of mines and mining in the states and territories west of the rocky mountains by rossiter w. A comprehensive treatment of the states geologic history, oregon geology moves through oregon s regions to closely examine the unique geologic features of each, from the blue mountains to the willamette valley, from the high lava plains to the coast range.
Ponderosa pine are more common in the blue mountains in the eastern part of the state and firs are more common in the west. The wallowa terrane is one of five precenozoic terranes in the blue mountains province of oregon, idaho, and washington. The blue mountains indeed look blue from a distance, a formidable range rising to more than 9,000 feet2,743 meters and stretching from the columbia river southeast to the snake river. Oregon geology and mining history catalog i federal. Regional gravity data clearly show a zone of southwestnortheast lineations across oregon that defines a major crustal lineament. Natural history of the blue mountains of northeastern oregon and southeastern washington gives a comprehensive look at the geology of the mountain range that dominates the viewshed in our corner of the northwest. This book focuses on the stratigraphy, ages, structure, and chemical characteristics of terrestrial cenozoic volcanic and volcaniclastic rocks of the region and on the relation of the cenozoic volcanism to tectonism.
Miller when the first edition of roadside geology of oregon was published in 1978, it was revolutionarythe first book in a series designed to. The blue mountains ecoregion is a level iii ecoregion designated by the united states environmental protection agency epa in the pacific northwest, mainly in the state of oregon, with small areas over the state border in idaho and southeastern washington. Back then, the implications of plate tectonic theory were only beginning to shape geologic research and discussion. Slightly less than a sixth of oregon s land area, the region occupies about 15,000 square miles. Oregon white oak these forests are found throughout the southern portion of western oregon, spread across the lowand middleelevation hillsides of the willamette, umpqua, and rogue river valleys. The terranes of the blue mountains formed in and around an ancient subduction zone. Condon, a noted geologist, writes about the klamath mountains in southwest oregon and the blue mountains in northeast oregon, areas containing the states oldest rocks. Many emigrant journal accounts record their astonishment at the sight of 200foot tall trees and the view from the blue mountains pass of the high volcanic peaks of the cascade range. Bob carson will be discussing his new book, the blues. This ridge, which stretches from clarno, oregon to clarkston, washington, is the northernmost portion of the blue mountains physiographic section, itself part of the columbia plateau physiographic province, which is characterized by young volcanics. Book celebrates blue mountains of the pacific northwest. Natural history of the blue mountains of northeastern oregon and southeastern washington. Miller is a senior instructor and researcher in geology at the university of oregon.
The rocks and volcanoes were rafted toward the continental margin on a moving tectonic plate, and eventually accreted to the continental margin. Jun 28, 2019 book celebrates blue mountains of the pacific northwest. Stops and particular geologic features are measured in river miles above the confluence of the snake and columbia rivers. This guide explores the paleozoic and mesozoic geology of the wallowa terrane as exposed in northern hells canyon of idaho, oregon, and washington figs.
Typical tree species include the douglas fir the state tree, as well as redwood, ponderosa pine, western red cedar, and hemlock. When the first edition of roadside geology of oregon was published in 1978, it was revolutionary the first book in a series designed to educate, inspire, and wow nongeologists. Dogami bulletin 61, gold and silver in oregon, 1968, by h. If the age of rotation of the blue mountains is presumed to be younger, as proposed by dickinson 2002, who linked cw rotation of the blue mountains to rotation observed in the paleocene rocks of the oregon and washington coast ranges, then the rates of rotation would be much higher 23m. Oregon historical mining information mining claim record. Geologic provinces oregon department of geology and mineral. The range has an area of about 15,000 square miles 38,850 km 2, stretching east and southeast of pendleton, oregon, to the snake river along the oregon idaho border. The name oregon sunstone is used for gemquality feldspars from oregon, with and without aventurescence. New book explains why they call them the blue mountains.
Oregon department of geology and mineral industries. This volume reports on the geology of the blue mountains region, consists of six chapters having various individual authorship. The authors discuss petrology and tectonic evolution of an island arc that formed in the ancestral pacific ocean during the permian to cretaceous interval. It is also contiguous with the world wildlife fund s blue mountain forests ecoregion. Oregon produces some of the best gemquality feldspar in the world. The types of ancient forests in oregon the mountaineers. Oregons rose city is both green, as in ecoconscious, and green, as in lush, a river edged port city thats also a laidback multicultural urban center with forest and. Ponderosa pine are more common in the blue mountains in the eastern part.
Blue mountains mountains, oregonwashington, united states. Oregon s rose city is both green, as in ecoconscious, and green, as in lush, a river edged port city thats also a laidback multicultural urban center with forest and mountains a stones throw from downtown attractions. Featured hikes in this forest type can be found in the south cascades, klamathlakeview, northern blue mountains, blue mountains, and wallowas regions. They are not the tallest mountains in the west, nor probably the prettiest, but for many people living in northeastern oregon and southeastern washington, the blue mountains are cherished as. The range has an area of about 15,000 square miles 38,850 km 2, stretching east and southeast of pendleton, oregon, to the snake river along the oregonidaho border. Nov 28, 2018 the blues are a long anticlinal ridge composed mostly of basalt flows. The geology of the blue mountains is quite complex.
The principal deposits are in baker and grant counties, though. Ellen morris bishop visit tropical islands sequestered in the wallowa mountains, ancient volcanoes in the depths of hells canyon, and cascade valleys carved by glaciers towering far above your head. Hikes at the oregon coast, mount hood, columbia river gorge, smith rock, painted hills, crater lake and the wallowas. Because oregon sits on the leading edge of a moving crustal plate, a. The blue mountains, perhaps the most geologically diverse part of oregon, consist of a series of mountain ranges, rolling uplands, and valleys in the northeastern part of the state and extending into southeastern washington. Natural history of the blue mountains of northeastern oregon.
The river was named after john day who was a member of an expedition to. The 1902 book summarizes oregons geology and draws conclusions about the geologic past. The john day is the northwests longest freeflowing section of river. Slightly less than a sixth of oregons land area, the region occupies about 15,000 square miles. A comprehensive treatment of the states geologic history, oregon geology moves. Geology most of the blue mountains are underlain by the columbia river basalt group crb lava flows, primarily the grande ronde basalt, which erupted around 16. Combining her photos, map and book design skills and desire to share her journey with others has led to her first hiking book. Oregon is the top timber producer of the lower 48 states. Vallier 1995 petrology of pretertiary igneous rocks in the blue mountains region of oregon, idaho, and washington. Its existence is supported by geologic and geophysical data. A harrowing obstacle for oregon trail pioneers, today this route up into the blues is pure delight, winding past rolling ranchlands, rocky peaks, wild rivers and. The blue mountains are a mountain range in the western united states, located largely in northeastern oregon and stretching into southeastern washington. The range has an area of about 15,000 square miles 38,850 km 2, stretching east and southeast of pendleton, oregon. This professional paper contains 14 chapters on the blue mountains region of oregon, idaho, and washington.
The highest peaks are the elkhorn mountains in oregon, which reach an elevation of 9,108 feet. Jun 01, 2015 combining her photos, map and book design skills and desire to share her journey with others has led to her first hiking book. It begins in the blue mountains of central oregon and flows 284 miles to the columbia river. Mesozoic rocks exposed along the snake river in the northern wallowa terrane represent a volcanic island and its associated sedimentary basins within the blue mountains island arc of washington, oregon, and idaho.