Columbia Plateau: Difference between revisions
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{{about|the geographic feature|the associated ecoregion|Columbia Plateau (ecoregion)}} |
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[[File:pacificNW volcanics.png|thumb|The Columbia Plateau covers much of the [[Columbia River Basalt Group]], shown in green on this map. The Washington cities of Spokane, Yakima and Pasco, and the Oregon city of Pendleton, lie on the Columbia Plateau.]] |
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The '''Columbia Plateau''' is a [[geology|geologic]] and [[geography|geographic]] region that lies across parts of the [[U.S. state]]s of [[Washington (U.S. state)|Washington]], [[Oregon]], and [[Idaho]].<ref>{{gnis|1159062}}</ref> It is a wide [[flood basalt]] plateau between the [[Cascade Range]] and the [[Rocky Mountains]], cut through by the [[Columbia River]]. In one of its various usages, the term "[[Columbia Basin]]" refers to more or less the same area as the Columbia Plateau.<ref>Floyd, Ben, et al. "[http://www.co.benton.wa.us/pl/iap/html/body_glossary.htm Glossary]". (1998) [http://www.co.benton.wa.us/pl/iap/iapindex.htm Hanford Reach Protection and Management Program Interim Action Plan]. Prosser, Washington: Benton County Planning Department.</ref> |
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== Geology == |
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{{main|Columbia River Basalt Group}} |
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During late [[Miocene]] and early [[Pliocene]] times, one of the largest [[flood basalt]]s ever to appear on the [[earth]]'s surface engulfed about {{convert|63000|sqmi|km2}} of the Pacific Northwest, forming a [[large igneous province]].<ref name=CVO>[http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/ColumbiaPlateau/description_columbia_plateau.html Description: Columbia Plateau Columbia River Basalt.] United States Geologic Survey, accessed October 9, 2007.</ref> Over a period of perhaps 10 to 15 million years lava flow after lava flow poured out, eventually accumulating to a thickness of more than 6,000 feet (1.8 km).<ref name=CVO/> As the molten rock came to the surface, the Earth's crust gradually sank into the space left by the rising lava.<ref name=CVO/> |
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The subsidence of the crust produced the large [[plateau]]—a large, slightly depressed lava plain sometimes also known as the [[Columbia Basin]].<ref name=CVO/> The ancient [[Columbia River]] was forced into its present course by the northwesterly advancing lava. The lava, as it flowed over the area, first filled the stream valleys, forming dams that in turn caused impoundments or lakes.<ref name=CVO/> Entities that have been found in these lake beds are [[fossil]] leaf impressions, [[petrified wood]], fossil insects, and bones of vertebrate animals.<ref name=CVO/> |
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==Flora== |
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Part of the Columbia Plateau is associated with the [[Columbia Plateau (ecoregion)|Columbia Plateau ecoregion]], part of the 'Nearctic temperate and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands' [[ecoregion]] of the [[Temperate grasslands, savannas, and shrublands]] [[Biome]]. |
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== Geography == |
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The Washington cities in the Columbia Plateau include: |
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{{div col|2}} |
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* [[Davenport, Washington|Davenport]] |
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* [[Kennewick, Washington|Kennewick]] |
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* [[Moses Lake, Washington|Moses Lake]] |
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* [[Pasco, Washington|Pasco]] |
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* [[Pullman, Washington|Pullman]] |
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* [[Richland, Washington|Richland]] |
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* [[Spokane, Washington|Spokane]] |
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* [[Walla Walla, Washington|Walla Walla]] |
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* [[Yakima, Washington|Yakima]] |
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{{div col end}} |
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Oregon cities in the Columbia Plateau include: |
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{{div col|2}} |
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* [[Hermiston, Oregon|Hermiston]] |
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* [[Hood River, Oregon|Hood River]] |
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* [[Pendleton, Oregon|Pendleton]] |
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* [[The Dalles, Oregon|The Dalles]] |
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{{div col end}} |
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== See also == |
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* [[Grand Coulee]] |
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* [[Channeled scablands]] |
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* [[Interior Plateau]] |
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== References == |
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{{Reflist}} |
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== External links == |
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* [http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/ColumbiaPlateau/framework.html USGS Page on Columbia Plateau] |
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* [http://www.nps.gov/laro/webdirectory/geology.htm Geology of Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area (source of much of this page)] |
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* [http://harvester.lib.utah.edu/wwdl/index.php/browse/guide/columbia Guide to digital documents and photographs about the Columbia River area.] |
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* [http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/crbeha/ Columbia River Basin Ethnic History Archive] |
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{{-}} |
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{{Idaho}} |
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{{Oregon}} |
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{{Washington}} |
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{{coord|45|59|58|N|119|00|05|W|display=title}} |
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[[Category:Columbia River]] |
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[[Category:Physiographic provinces]] |
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[[Category:Large igneous provinces]] |
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[[Category:Volcanism of Washington (state)]] |
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[[Category:Miocene volcanism]] |
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[[Category:Pliocene volcanism]] |
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[[Category:Plateaus of the United States]] |
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[[Category:Landforms of Idaho]] |
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[[Category:Landforms of Oregon]] |
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[[Category:Landforms of Washington (state)]] |
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[[Category:Regions of Oregon]] |
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[[Category:Regions of Washington (state)]] |
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[[Category:Landforms of Umatilla County, Oregon]] |
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[[Category:Landforms of Hood River County, Oregon]] |
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[[Category:Landforms of Wasco County, Oregon]] |
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[[cs:Columbijská náhorní plošina]] |
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[[eo:Kolumbia Altebenaĵo]] |
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[[fr:Plateau du Columbia]] |
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[[it:Altopiano del Columbia]] |
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[[ja:コロンビア川台地]] |
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[[pl:Wyżyna Kolumbii]] |
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[[ru:Колумбийское плато]] |
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[[vi:Cao nguyên sông Columbia]] |
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Revision as of 20:13, 21 September 2011
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