OSU/IRIS Collaboration--Pacific Northwest Earth-science series.
Tectonics of the Pacific Northest yield a varied volcanic history. The Pacific Northwest boasts an active volcanic arc (Cascades Range), a nearby ocean ridge (Pacific Plate-Juan de Fuca Plate spreading ridge), the world’s youngest flood basalt province (Columbia River Basalt), a hot-spot chain of eastward-younging volcanoes (Yellowstone Trend), volcanism related to continental extension, and more. It is a volcanological wonderland. The western margin of North America has long been dominated by subduction and dextral transtension. This animation attempts to simplify a complex tectonic interaction through cross sections.

This animation was created to accompany a Plenary talk at the 2017 IAVCEI meeting in Portland, OR.
Written and directed by Anita Grunder, Oregon State University
Graphics, animation, & narration by Jenda Johnson,Earth Sciences Animated
Reviewed by Ray Wells, U.S. Geological Survey