Roadside Geology of Oregon (Roadside Geology Series) [Paperback]

David D. Alt (Author)

Book Description

Series: Roadside Geology | Publication Date: June 1, 1978

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Roadside Geology of Oregonprovides a handy and understandable account, either to read at home, or to carry along on trips." --Oregon Historical Quarterly

About the Author

David Alt is a geology professor at the University of Montana in Missoula. Dedicated to bringing geology to the general public, he cofounded the popular Roadside Geology series. He has written a number of books in the series with coauthor Donald Hyndman, and helps edit others. Alt also teaches elderhostel courses, leads field trips, and presents public lectures about regional geology. He lives in Missoula. Donald W. Hyndman is dedicated to bringing geology to the general public, and cofounded the popular Roadside Geology series. He has written a number of the series titles with coauthor David Alt, and helps edit others. When he is not writing or editing books, Hyndman teaches geology at the University of Montana in Missoula.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Mountain Press Publishing Company; 1st edition (June 1, 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0878420630
• ISBN-13: 978-0878420636
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #276,218 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Travel > United States > States > Oregon

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't visit Oregon without reading this book, October 3, 2003

By 

Jerald R Lovell (Clinton Township, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Roadside Geology of Oregon (Roadside Geology Series) (Paperback)

Mention "Oregon" and the average traveler thinks of Crater Lake, the Columbia Gorge, and miles of trackless evergreen forest. The more seasoned may be familiar with Newberry Volcano, Mount Hood, and the Oregon Dunes along the Pacific coast. But there is much more, and this is the book to show it to you, give you good directions, and explain why the secenery looks the way it does. Once you read this book, even if you never get there, you will know why Oregon is the Unknown Gem of the West.

The writing is clear and concise, and the routes along which the reader is taken are well chosen. Photography is black and white, and this detracts a bit, but is easily overcome.

Oregon has more geologically recent sites of volcanism than any other state in the Lower 49, and you are directed past many of these. So for anyone into volcanoes, as I am, the book is a must. The various volcanic processes and minerals that formed thse features are excellently explained.

The book also addresses Oregon's many spectacular canyons, as well as its matchless seacoast, its waterfalls, and its sand dunes. Virtually unknown facts, such as the largest U.S. meteorite being known, but not found, near Port Orford, are brought to light, along with a thousand other facts of the same genre.

I would be remiss if I did not praise authors Hyndman and Alt, along with Mountain Press, for this fine book, and others of its kind, covering other states, mostly in the West. All are highly recommended, and will make any tourist's time more well spent and enjoyable.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice, Useful Read, March 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Roadside Geology of Oregon (Roadside Geology Series) (Paperback)

A nice addition to anyone's geology library. Alt and Hyndman cover every corner of Oregon, and explain the major players in the shape of the landscape clearly and succinctly, as well as local aspects of geology. There's the added bonus of being able to jump in the car and find what they've written about as they provide regional maps, indicating formations, special interest items and more.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great travel guide!, March 30, 2007

By 

Fyregal "Roadtripper" (Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Roadside Geology of Oregon (Roadside Geology Series) (Paperback)

If you've ever driven along a highway or road and noticed the different layers of rocks and soils on the "cut-bank", then this book is for you! Just pick a main road in OR between two points, such as HWY 101 from Tillamook to Florence, and the geology along the way is spelled out for you. It gives a basic geology of the entire state as well, with a few unusaul graphics that work well with the author's explanations.