U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Geological
Survey
An often overlooked fact about the state of Washington is that while its western half experiences record-breaking rainfall each year, its eastern half is high-desert country. The magnificent Cascade Ranges separate the state into these two extremes. Many of the peaks in the Cascades are volcanoes, which is why the USGS Cascades Volcano Observatory is located in Vancouver, Washington.
We hope you will find the resources below useful in finding out about geologic studies that are underway and how they contribute to diverse problems such as understanding earthquake shaking, finding minerals, and evaluating volcanic hazards in the State of Washington.
Find out about minerals related work in Washington
The magnificent Cascade Range, which runs through western Washington and other parts of the Pacific Northwest, includes several volcanoes. To find out more about the volcanoes of the Pacific Northwest, visit the Cascades Volcano Observatory on the web!
Find out what scientists have discovered through coastal studies in the Pacific Northwest that has them worried about the possibility of large earthquakes in the region.
You'll no doubt want to read about the various geologic mapping projects in Washington—they include mapping of volcanoes, national parks, and the Pacific Northwest Urban Corridor.
Geophysical mapping is helping scientists understand why earthquakes are occurring in the Portland, Vancouver area. Find out more about this important airborne research project.
Landslides are not uncommon in Washington. Find out about about landslide monitoring in Washington.
The USGS has some state by state listings that might interest you:
| Minerals Information | USGS Fact Sheets |
 |
Download shaded relief map of Washington (415 kb GIF file) |
Spokane
Field Office
U.S. Geological Survey
904 W. Riverside Ave., Room 202
Spokane, Washington 99201
(509) 368-3101
US Geological Survey's State Representative for Washington State:
Cynthia Barton
1201 Pacific Ave., Suite 600
Tacoma, WA 98402
Telephone: (253) 428-3600
Fax: (253) 428-3614
Office hours: 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time
Water
Resources Division, Tacoma Office
Biological Resources
Division
National Mapping Division
You'll surely want to visit the Washington's Division of Geology and Natural Resources for more information about the geology of Washington.
USGS Products are sold at Earth Science Information Centers (ESICs) throughout the country. Find out what an ESIC is, and whether there is an ESIC near you.
Other Western States
| Alaska | Arizona | California | Hawaii | Idaho | Nevada | Oregon | Utah |
Return to Geologic Information about the Western United States
| Geologic
Information about the | Central Region | Eastern Region | National Geologic Information | |
URL: http://geology.wr.usgs.gov/stateinfo/WA.html
Maintained by: Carolyn Donlin
Last Modified: 19 March 2004 (cad)
