Sense of Place: Geology Alive: Understanding Geologic Hazards in the Gorge

The great scenic beauty of the Gorge owes much to the geological processes that have shaped it.
Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides and debris flows still occur in the area today, and they can pose hazards to Gorge residents and visitors. What is the scope, severity, and likelihood of these hazards? How do scientists use evidence from the geological and historical past to evaluate the hazards, and how do they use models to forecast future hazards and inform our efforts to prepare for them?

Join Dr. Richard “Dick” Iverson, Scientist Emeritus at the U.S. Geological Survey’s Cascades Volcano Observatory, as he digs into the geological hazards of the Gorge—and explains why they don’t discourage him from living here!