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• 1. [Article] Field Geology and Petrologic Investigation of the Strawberry Volcanics, Northeast Oregon

  The Strawberry Volcanics of Northeast Oregon are a group of geochemically related lavas with a diverse chemical range (basalt to rhyolite) that erupted between 16.2 and 12.5 Ma and co-erupted with the ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Field Geology and Petrologic Investigation of the Strawberry Volcanics, Northeast Oregon Author: Steiner, Arron Richard Year: 2016 The Strawberry Volcanics of Northeast Oregon are a group of geochemically related lavas with a diverse chemical range (basalt to rhyolite) that erupted between 16.2 and 12.5 Ma and co-erupted with the large, (~200,000 km3) Middle Miocene tholeiitic lavas of the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG), which erupted near and geographically surround the Strawberry Volcanics. The rhyolitic lavas of the Strawberry Volcanics produced the oldest 40Ar/39Ar ages measured in this study with ages ranging from 16.2 Ma to 14.6 Ma, and have an estimated total erupted volume of 100 km3. The mafic and intermediate lavas of the Strawberry Volcanics include both tholeiitic and calc-alkaline compositions; calc-alkaline andesite is the dominant type by volume. 40Ar/39Ar ages of the mafic and intermediate lava flows range from 15.6 Ma to 12.5 Ma, and volume estimates of the intermediate lavas are approximately 1,100 km3. The magmas that gave rise to the Strawberry Volcanics traveled to the surface through numerous dikes, some of which have been exposed at the surface and supplied lava to fissure – style eruptions and/or shield volcanoes. Herein, we show that the Strawberry Volcanics are related to the CRBG in both time and space and share a chemical affinity, specifically to the Steens Basalt. Chemical similarities are observed in normalized trace element patterns, selected trace element ratios, and radiogenic isotopes. Comparison of the Strawberry Volcanic rhyolites to the other Middle Miocene rhyolites of eastern Oregon associated with the initiation of the Yellowstone – Snake River mantle plume reveals similar eruption ages, trace element compositions, including the rare earth elements (REEs), and "A-type" rhyolite characteristics. These data suggest that the Strawberry Volcanics are part of the regional volcanism (basalt to rhyolite) of the Columbia River Basalt Province. The petrogenesis of the Strawberry Volcanics can be explained as follows: 1) The tholeiitic, intermediate magmas were produced by fractional crystallization of mafic magmas, which have a commonality with the surrounding Columbia River Basalt Group; 2) The calc-alkaline magmas are a result of mixing between tholeiitic basalt, rhyolite, and crust. The arc-like signature of the calc-alkaline lavas (elevated large ion lithophiles) is a result of both the melting source region and the end-members with which the mafic magmas mixed/contaminated. Other authors have produced similar findings from within the Basin and Range/Oregon-Idaho graben and CRB province. The difference at the Strawberry Volcanics is that there is no need for a primitive calc-alkaline magma or extensive fractional crystallization to generate the calc-alkaline andesites. Alternatively, the calc-alkaline magmas of the Strawberry Volcanics were generated by a more primitive tholeiitic magma than erupted at the surface, which interacted with crustal melts and assimilated crustal lithologies from the complex zone of assimilated terranes that make up the basement of eastern Oregon. Title: Field Geology and Petrologic Investigation of the Strawberry Volcanics, Northeast Oregon Author: Steiner, Arron Richard Year: 2016 The Strawberry Volcanics of Northeast Oregon are a group of geochemically related lavas with a diverse chemical range (basalt to rhyolite) that erupted between 16.2 and 12.5 Ma and co-erupted with the large, (~200,000 km3) Middle Miocene tholeiitic lavas of the Columbia River Basalt Group (CRBG), which erupted near and geographically surround the Strawberry Volcanics. The rhyolitic lavas of the Strawberry Volcanics produced the oldest 40Ar/39Ar ages measured in this study with ages ranging from 16.2 Ma to 14.6 Ma, and have an estimated total erupted volume of 100 km3. The mafic and intermediate lavas of the Strawberry Volcanics include both tholeiitic and calc-alkaline compositions; calc-alkaline andesite is the dominant type by volume. 40Ar/39Ar ages of the mafic and intermediate lava flows range from 15.6 Ma to 12.5 Ma, and volume estimates of the intermediate lavas are approximately 1,100 km3. The magmas that gave rise to the Strawberry Volcanics traveled to the surface through numerous dikes, some of which have been exposed at the surface and supplied lava to fissure – style eruptions and/or shield volcanoes. Herein, we show that the Strawberry Volcanics are related to the CRBG in both time and space and share a chemical affinity, specifically to the Steens Basalt. Chemical similarities are observed in normalized trace element patterns, selected trace element ratios, and radiogenic isotopes. Comparison of the Strawberry Volcanic rhyolites to the other Middle Miocene rhyolites of eastern Oregon associated with the initiation of the Yellowstone – Snake River mantle plume reveals similar eruption ages, trace element compositions, including the rare earth elements (REEs), and "A-type" rhyolite characteristics. These data suggest that the Strawberry Volcanics are part of the regional volcanism (basalt to rhyolite) of the Columbia River Basalt Province. The petrogenesis of the Strawberry Volcanics can be explained as follows: 1) The tholeiitic, intermediate magmas were produced by fractional crystallization of mafic magmas, which have a commonality with the surrounding Columbia River Basalt Group; 2) The calc-alkaline magmas are a result of mixing between tholeiitic basalt, rhyolite, and crust. The arc-like signature of the calc-alkaline lavas (elevated large ion lithophiles) is a result of both the melting source region and the end-members with which the mafic magmas mixed/contaminated. Other authors have produced similar findings from within the Basin and Range/Oregon-Idaho graben and CRB province. The difference at the Strawberry Volcanics is that there is no need for a primitive calc-alkaline magma or extensive fractional crystallization to generate the calc-alkaline andesites. Alternatively, the calc-alkaline magmas of the Strawberry Volcanics were generated by a more primitive tholeiitic magma than erupted at the surface, which interacted with crustal melts and assimilated crustal lithologies from the complex zone of assimilated terranes that make up the basement of eastern Oregon. Close

• 2. [Article] Geology of the southcentral margin of the Tillamook Highlands; southwest quarter of the Enright Quadrangle, Tillamook County, Oregon

  The Tillamook Highlands is a largely unmapped volcanic pile located in the north end of the Coast Range of Oregon. The 36 square miles of T. 1 N., R. 8 W., on the southcentral margin of the Highlands, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Geology of the southcentral margin of the Tillamook Highlands; southwest quarter of the Enright Quadrangle, Tillamook County, Oregon Author: Cameron, Kenneth Allan Year: 1980 The Tillamook Highlands is a largely unmapped volcanic pile located in the north end of the Coast Range of Oregon. The 36 square miles of T. 1 N., R. 8 W., on the southcentral margin of the Highlands, was chosen for detailed study. The study area is composed of Eocene age sedimentary and volcanic units which were deposited in a filling basin. The lowest units were deposited in moderate to deep marine waters; the uppermost were deposited subaerially. Title: Geology of the southcentral margin of the Tillamook Highlands; southwest quarter of the Enright Quadrangle, Tillamook County, Oregon Author: Cameron, Kenneth Allan Year: 1980 The Tillamook Highlands is a largely unmapped volcanic pile located in the north end of the Coast Range of Oregon. The 36 square miles of T. 1 N., R. 8 W., on the southcentral margin of the Highlands, was chosen for detailed study. The study area is composed of Eocene age sedimentary and volcanic units which were deposited in a filling basin. The lowest units were deposited in moderate to deep marine waters; the uppermost were deposited subaerially. Close

• 3. [Article] Silicic Volcanism at the Northern and Western Extent of the Columbia River Basalt Rhyolite Flare-up: Rhyolites of Buchanan Volcanic Complex and Dooley Mountain Volcanic Complex, Oregon

  Two mid-Miocene (16.5-15 Ma) rhyolite volcanic centers in eastern Oregon, the Buchanan rhyolite complex and Dooley Mountain rhyolite complex, were investigated to characterize eruptive units through field ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Silicic Volcanism at the Northern and Western Extent of the Columbia River Basalt Rhyolite Flare-up: Rhyolites of Buchanan Volcanic Complex and Dooley Mountain Volcanic Complex, Oregon Author: Large, Adam M. Year: 2016 Two mid-Miocene (16.5-15 Ma) rhyolite volcanic centers in eastern Oregon, the Buchanan rhyolite complex and Dooley Mountain rhyolite complex, were investigated to characterize eruptive units through field and laboratory analysis. Results of petrographic and geochemical analysis add to field observations to differentiate and discriminate the eruptive units. Additionally, new geochemical data are used to correlate stratigraphically younger and older basalt and ash-flow tuff units with regional eruptive units to constrain the eruptive periods with modern Ar-Ar age dates. Previous work at the Buchanan rhyolite complex was limited to regional mapping (Piper et al., 1939; Greene et al., 1972) and brief mention of the possibility of multiple eruptive units (Walker, 1979). Observed stratigraphic relationships and geochemical analysis were used to identify eight distinct eruptive units and create a geologic map of their distribution. Slight differences in trace element enrichment are seen in mantle normalized values of Ba, Sr, P, Ti and Nd-Zr-Hf and are used to differentiate eruptive units. New geochemical analyses are used to correlate the overlying Buchanan ash-flow tuff (Brown and McLean, 1980) and two underlying mafic units to the Wildcat Creek ash-flow tuff (~15.9 Ma, Hooper et al., 2002) and flows of the Upper Steens Basalt (~16.57 Ma, Brueseke et al., 2007), respectively, bracketing the eruptive age of the Buchanan rhyolite complex to between ~16.5 and ~15.9 Ma (Brueseke et al., 2007; Hooper et al., 2002). The Dooley Mountain rhyolite complex was thoroughly mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey (Evans, 1992) and geochemically differentiated in a previous Portland State University M.S. thesis (Whitson, 1988); however, discrepancies between published interpretations and field observations necessitated modern geochemical data and revisions to geologic interpretations. Field and laboratory studies indicate that the Dooley Mountain rhyolite complex consists of multiple eruptive units that were effusive domes and flows with associated explosive eruptions subordinate in volume. At least four geochemically distinct eruptive units are described with variations in Ba, Sr, Zr and Nb. Picture Gorge Basalt flows and Dinner Creek Tuff units found within the study area both overlay and underlie the Dooley Mountain rhyolite complex. These stratigraphic relationships are consistent with the one existing Ar-Ar age date 15.59±0.04 Ma (Hess, 2014) for the Dooley rhyolite complex, bracketing the eruptive period between ~16.0 and ~15.2 Ma (Streck et al., 2015; Barry et al., 2013). The findings of this study indicate that the Buchanan rhyolite complex and the Dooley Mountain rhyolite complex are the westernmost and northernmost rhyolite complexes among the earliest (16-16.5 Ma) mid-Miocene rhyolites associated with initiation of Yellowstone hot spot related volcanism. Title: Silicic Volcanism at the Northern and Western Extent of the Columbia River Basalt Rhyolite Flare-up: Rhyolites of Buchanan Volcanic Complex and Dooley Mountain Volcanic Complex, Oregon Author: Large, Adam M. Year: 2016 Two mid-Miocene (16.5-15 Ma) rhyolite volcanic centers in eastern Oregon, the Buchanan rhyolite complex and Dooley Mountain rhyolite complex, were investigated to characterize eruptive units through field and laboratory analysis. Results of petrographic and geochemical analysis add to field observations to differentiate and discriminate the eruptive units. Additionally, new geochemical data are used to correlate stratigraphically younger and older basalt and ash-flow tuff units with regional eruptive units to constrain the eruptive periods with modern Ar-Ar age dates. Previous work at the Buchanan rhyolite complex was limited to regional mapping (Piper et al., 1939; Greene et al., 1972) and brief mention of the possibility of multiple eruptive units (Walker, 1979). Observed stratigraphic relationships and geochemical analysis were used to identify eight distinct eruptive units and create a geologic map of their distribution. Slight differences in trace element enrichment are seen in mantle normalized values of Ba, Sr, P, Ti and Nd-Zr-Hf and are used to differentiate eruptive units. New geochemical analyses are used to correlate the overlying Buchanan ash-flow tuff (Brown and McLean, 1980) and two underlying mafic units to the Wildcat Creek ash-flow tuff (~15.9 Ma, Hooper et al., 2002) and flows of the Upper Steens Basalt (~16.57 Ma, Brueseke et al., 2007), respectively, bracketing the eruptive age of the Buchanan rhyolite complex to between ~16.5 and ~15.9 Ma (Brueseke et al., 2007; Hooper et al., 2002). The Dooley Mountain rhyolite complex was thoroughly mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey (Evans, 1992) and geochemically differentiated in a previous Portland State University M.S. thesis (Whitson, 1988); however, discrepancies between published interpretations and field observations necessitated modern geochemical data and revisions to geologic interpretations. Field and laboratory studies indicate that the Dooley Mountain rhyolite complex consists of multiple eruptive units that were effusive domes and flows with associated explosive eruptions subordinate in volume. At least four geochemically distinct eruptive units are described with variations in Ba, Sr, Zr and Nb. Picture Gorge Basalt flows and Dinner Creek Tuff units found within the study area both overlay and underlie the Dooley Mountain rhyolite complex. These stratigraphic relationships are consistent with the one existing Ar-Ar age date 15.59±0.04 Ma (Hess, 2014) for the Dooley rhyolite complex, bracketing the eruptive period between ~16.0 and ~15.2 Ma (Streck et al., 2015; Barry et al., 2013). The findings of this study indicate that the Buchanan rhyolite complex and the Dooley Mountain rhyolite complex are the westernmost and northernmost rhyolite complexes among the earliest (16-16.5 Ma) mid-Miocene rhyolites associated with initiation of Yellowstone hot spot related volcanism. 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• 4. [Article] Geology of the Breitenbush Hot Springs area, Cascade Range, Oregon

  The Breitenbush Hot Springs area lies on the boundary of folded middle to late Tertiary Western Cascade rocks and younger High Cascade rocks. Within the mapped area the Western Cascade rocks are represented ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Geology of the Breitenbush Hot Springs area, Cascade Range, Oregon Author: Clayton, Clifford Michael Year: 1976 The Breitenbush Hot Springs area lies on the boundary of folded middle to late Tertiary Western Cascade rocks and younger High Cascade rocks. Within the mapped area the Western Cascade rocks are represented by four formations. The Detroit Beds, a sequence of interstratified tuffaceous sandstone, mudflow breccia, and tuff, is overlain unconformably by the Breitenbush Tuff. The Breitenbush Tuff consists of three units of welded pumice-rich crystal-vitric ash-flow tuffs interbedded with tuffaceous sedimentary rocks. The Outerson Formation unconformably overlies the Breitenbush Tuff and consists primarily of basaltic lava and breccia. The Outerson Formation includes three localized members: a basal, glassy, aphanitic basalt, the Lake Leone Sediments, and the Outerson Tuff. The Outerson Formation is cut by a number of feeder dikes and plugs and is unconformably overlain by the Cheat Creek Sediments, composed of volcanic sedimentary rocks and a distinctive basaltic tuff. The Western Cascade formations total more than 1660 m {5500 ft) of strata and range from Oligocene to Pliocene in age. The High Cascade rocks are represented by two formations: the Triangulation Peak Volcanics of basalt and andesite lava and breccia, lying unconformably atop the Cheat Creek Sediments; and unconformably beneath the Collowash Volcanics, a series of thin basaltic lava flows and breccias. The Western and High Cascade rocks are covered extensively by surficial deposits, primarily glacial drift. The High Cascade formations are at least 840 m (2800 ft) thick, ranging in age from Pliocene to Pliestocene. The Western Cascade rocks have been folded and faulted in the Breitenbush Hot Springs area, and form the eastern limb of the north-trending Breitenbush Anticline. The folded rocks and the erosional unconformities between the rock units probably represent two local episodes of orogeny: one in early to middle Miocene and another in late Pliocene to Pleistocene time. The Outerson Formation represents a depositional sequence between the periods of uplift and deformation. Faulting accompanied the orogenic sequences. The primary volcanic landforms in the area have been destroyed by erosion but skeletal remains of High Cascade volcanoes are recognized. Stream erosion and glaciation are responsible for the present landforms. Breitenbush Hot Springs occurs, in part, along basaltic dikes which channel the water through impermeable Breitenbush Tuff. The dikes are believed to be associated with the Outerson basalts. The Hot Springs discharge upwards at 3400 l/min. (900 gpm) of water at temperatures up to 92°C (198°F). Title: Geology of the Breitenbush Hot Springs area, Cascade Range, Oregon Author: Clayton, Clifford Michael Year: 1976 The Breitenbush Hot Springs area lies on the boundary of folded middle to late Tertiary Western Cascade rocks and younger High Cascade rocks. Within the mapped area the Western Cascade rocks are represented by four formations. The Detroit Beds, a sequence of interstratified tuffaceous sandstone, mudflow breccia, and tuff, is overlain unconformably by the Breitenbush Tuff. The Breitenbush Tuff consists of three units of welded pumice-rich crystal-vitric ash-flow tuffs interbedded with tuffaceous sedimentary rocks. The Outerson Formation unconformably overlies the Breitenbush Tuff and consists primarily of basaltic lava and breccia. The Outerson Formation includes three localized members: a basal, glassy, aphanitic basalt, the Lake Leone Sediments, and the Outerson Tuff. The Outerson Formation is cut by a number of feeder dikes and plugs and is unconformably overlain by the Cheat Creek Sediments, composed of volcanic sedimentary rocks and a distinctive basaltic tuff. The Western Cascade formations total more than 1660 m {5500 ft) of strata and range from Oligocene to Pliocene in age. The High Cascade rocks are represented by two formations: the Triangulation Peak Volcanics of basalt and andesite lava and breccia, lying unconformably atop the Cheat Creek Sediments; and unconformably beneath the Collowash Volcanics, a series of thin basaltic lava flows and breccias. The Western and High Cascade rocks are covered extensively by surficial deposits, primarily glacial drift. The High Cascade formations are at least 840 m (2800 ft) thick, ranging in age from Pliocene to Pliestocene. The Western Cascade rocks have been folded and faulted in the Breitenbush Hot Springs area, and form the eastern limb of the north-trending Breitenbush Anticline. The folded rocks and the erosional unconformities between the rock units probably represent two local episodes of orogeny: one in early to middle Miocene and another in late Pliocene to Pleistocene time. The Outerson Formation represents a depositional sequence between the periods of uplift and deformation. Faulting accompanied the orogenic sequences. The primary volcanic landforms in the area have been destroyed by erosion but skeletal remains of High Cascade volcanoes are recognized. Stream erosion and glaciation are responsible for the present landforms. Breitenbush Hot Springs occurs, in part, along basaltic dikes which channel the water through impermeable Breitenbush Tuff. The dikes are believed to be associated with the Outerson basalts. The Hot Springs discharge upwards at 3400 l/min. (900 gpm) of water at temperatures up to 92°C (198°F). Close