Roadside Geology of Oregon

Roadside Geology Series #2

by David D. Alt, Donald W. Hyndman

Until about 200 million years ago, the western margin of North America lay to the east, along the present Idaho border, and a broad coastal plain spread westward into Oregon. The rest of the state was ocean floor. Then the continent began moving slowly westward away from Europe and the floor of the Pacific Ocean began sliding beneath the western edge. That is what created Oregon, and this book tells how it happened.

Note: the second edition, written in 2014, of this book is by a different author.

Genres: Geology, Science, Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Field Guides

280 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1978

About the author

David Alt was an American geologist, teacher, writer, storyteller and author. He was the author of more than thirty books, including several titles in the Roadside Geology series published by Mountain Press.

He earned his Ph.D. in 1961 from the University of Texas, and joined the Department of Geology at The University of Montana in Missoula, Montana in 1965. He became professor Emeritus at The University of Montana in 2002. He died on April 26, 2015, in Missoula.

Reviews

[Mat Thorburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lot of good information but doesn't seem to be a lot of good roadside attractions that I was looking for. Also numbers for Mt Mazama erupting differed by 1000 years, it seems like they should've edited that even though nobody can tell exactly. I am still hoping to take it for a ride sometime so I am pleased to have read it and do appreciate the authors hard work compiling this info!!

[KennyO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geology is a messy science because our planet doesn't move in just one direction with just one purpose. Subtlety, nuance and everything else about it calls for a good eye and a great imagination, a great vision on the part of those who study and practice geology. David Alt does a sterling job of putting the relevant ideas across, giving examples in the roadcuts and the viewpoints around the state (indeed, around all the states he covers in the Roadside Geology series). I deducted a star for the production quality of the book. The photos, in particular, are poor enough to be of limited value. Metaphorically, it's difficult to teach music when the only piano is out of tune.

Nov. 2014 I've learned of a new edition of this book by Marli B. Miller. I'll leave this review in place but refer you to the Second Edition by Marli B. Miller. Roadside Geology of Oregon: Second Edition

[Mark Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is written by a scientist and it shows. But what the book lacks in the art of writing, it more than makes up for in the science of geology. Though the information is somewhat dated - having been written around the time Mount Saint Helens erupted (1980 for the young out there) - the vast majority of what the author presents is still valid. It's only been refined in degrees of understanding since then, rather than refuted. For anyone wishing to get a good bird's eye perspective of how and why Oregon physically exists, I'd recommend this book as a start.

[Smitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

We recently went on a geology-heavy trip around Oregon, and this book proved to be a fantastic reference for the most part. The main downsides were that it was a little hard to pinpoint specific areas, as it covered fixed routes, and there were some that weren't addressed. It also was quite dated--there were passages in there that referred to Mount St. Helens without making note of the cataclysmic 1980 eruption! Still, I'd recommend the Roadside Geology series to anyone making similar trips.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the description of how the current coastline emerged

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book to have as you're driving down the road staring out the window at the rocks on the side of the hill.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I read the introduction, then I will read the relevant sections as I travel them. The intro covers the creation of the land we now call Oregon--covered briefly but adequately (check out Ellen Morris Bishop's In Search of Ancient Oregon for a newer, more detailed story with tons of beautiful photos.

[Loren Shultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read to understand the formation of the rocks that define Oregon geology, and where you can see examples from the highway. Nicely organized by drive (i.e. Burns to Ontario) with both narrative and map.

Reads mostly like a textbook, but with minimal jargon and a dose of the author's personality.

It's back on my shelf as a reference for future road trips.

Non-nerds may not like it.

[Nicole]

Excellent book to use while exploring Oregon. This books covers the places worth seeing like Fossil, Bend, Steen Mountain http://www.paleolands.org/find/time/h...

[Moira]

I'm a natural sciences nerd, I know.

[David Morman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book for exploring an amazing place.

[Hildegart · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is really good for those interested in the geology of Oregon. For me, it didn't cover some areas I was interested in very well.

[Lauren orso · Rating 3 out of 5]

really understandable, cleverly formatted, volcanoes are the crankiest rock babies.

[Valerie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted this to be more helpful... once I realized it was published in *1978* I realized why it was not.

[John]

It's a nifty reference book, handy in the backseat for when you're driving around.