Karen J Simon

Washington - Looking Back Karen J Simon

Washington state has a fascinating geological history. Towering snow covered mountain peaks are composed of ancient seabed lava - thrust up by colliding tectonic plates. Thrust ever higher by one plate subducting beneath another. Volcnoes erupted along the edge of the plates - some continuously and some only once, but they played a part in the formation of the mountains and the land bordering them. The eastern part of the state was flooded by molten lava from fissures in the earth in western Idaho and northern Oregon. The Ice Age brought tremendous ice sheets that created hills and valleys. Massive floods from these glaciers carved valleys, canyons, coulees, gullies, rivers and streams. A collection of maps helps to get a better picture of the state during those times and beautiful color photos depict geological sights and historial sites as well as nature's incredable beauty.