An often overlooked fact about the Oregon is that while its western half experiences heavy rainfall each year, its eastern half is high-desert country. The chain of magnificent towering volcanic peaks that make up the Cascade Ranges separate the state into these two extremes. A sunken crater of one of these peaks has become one of Oregon's most famous attractions, Crater Lake.
Whether you call it home or planning a visit, Oregon is full of scenic wonders to explore. We hope you will find the resources below useful in finding out about geologic studies that are underway in Oregon and how they contribute to diverse problems such as understanding earthquake shaking, finding minerals, and evaluating volcanic hazards.
Find out more about earthquake studies in Oregon.
The magnificent Cascade Range, which runs through western Oregon 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.
Discover how some of the geologic mapping of the Pacific Northwest Urban Corridor will help scientists understand and evaluate geologic hazards, quantify water resources, and determine the extent of water contamination in the area.
Geophysical mapping is helping scientists understand why earthquakes are occurring in the Portland, Vancouver area. Find out more about this important airborne research project.
Fing out about energy studies in the Pacific Northwest
The USGS has some state by state listings that might interest you:
| Minerals Information | USGS Fact Sheets |
Download shaded relief map of Oregon (100 kb GIF file) |
Cascades Volcano
Observatory
5400 Mac Arthur Blvd.
Vancouver, WA 98661
(360) 993-8900
cvo@usgs.gov
You may also
contact the USGS State representative for Oregon:
Dennis D. Lynch
10615 S.E. Cherry Blossom Dr.
Portland, OR 97216
Telephone: (503) 251-3265
Fax: (503) 251-3470
Office hours: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific Time
Water
Resources Division Oregon Office
Biological Resources Division offices
National Mapping Division
Be sure to visit the Oregon Department of Geology and Mines Industries website for other interesting geologic information about Oregon
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