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The Far Corner: Washington’s
Geography and Geology
Essential Question
How does Washington’s geography and geology affect
the way we live?
The Northwest Corner
Washington’s location:
• In the Northwest corner of the United States
• Between the 46th and 49th parallels north latitude
• Between 117 degrees and 125 degrees west longitude
Washington’s Boundaries:
• Canada makes the north political boundary
• The Pacific Ocean and the Strait of Juan de Fuca make
natural western boundaries
• The Columbia River makes most of the natural southern
boundary
• A political boundary separates Washington from Idaho on
the eastern side
Spatial Patterns
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Coastlines, rivers, deserts, and mountains affect where
people live and work.
Humans have had an impact on the land over the years.
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Loggers cut down too many trees
Hunters shot too many wild animals
Fishermen caught too many salmon
People changed the land to meet their needs
Today, people and companies act more responsibly to
take care of the land.
The Columbia River
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The Columbia River is one of Washington’s most famous
physical characteristics.
Indian tribes and early fur trappers used the river for
transportation and a source of food.
The river became the source of a thriving salmon
industry.
The source of the river is at Columbia Lake, high in
British Columbia, Canada.
The Columbia has many tributaries and flows into the
Pacific Ocean.
The Columbia is the most powerful river in North America
in terms of hydroelectric energy.
The Pacific Coast
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Washington has 157 miles of ocean coastline.
The Strait of Juan de Fuca has over 3,000 miles of
coastline.
Washington has deep-water harbors that link it to the rest
of the world.
The Pacific Ocean and the Puget Sound are the sources
of the state’s fishing industry.
Salmon, oysters, crabs, shrimp, halibut, flounder, tuna,
and cod are caught in Washington’s waters.
Winds from the ocean give Washington a mild climate.
What Region
is Washington Part of?
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Regions are places that share common features.
Washington is part of the Pacific Northwest region.
– A region of states that share common physical,
political, and economic features
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Washington is part of the Pacific Rim region.
– A region of all the countries that border the Pacific
Ocean
Washington’s Five Regions
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Each region has at least one main physical feature
but may contain more.
The Coastal Range
– Narrow region along the Pacific Ocean with
rainforests, mountains, and other forests
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The Puget Sound Lowlands
– Plains and valleys around the Puget Sound with
fertile land and access to rivers and seaports
Washington’s Five Regions
(continued)
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The Cascade Range
– Includes the Cascade Mountain range with its high
volcanic peaks and many glaciers
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The Columbia Plateau
– A high, flat plateau on the east side of the Cascades
with dry land and natural vegetation
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The Rocky Mountain Region
– Steep hills that are foothills of the Rocky Mountains
in the northern corner of the state
A Jigsaw Puzzle
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Scientists believe Washington is made of many
small continents.
Millions of years ago, they came together because
of the earth’s shifting plates.
Tectonic forces uplifted, tilted, and folded the
earth’s crust to create mountains.
Tectonic forces left fault lines that shift and cause
earthquakes every few years.
Mountains were also formed by volcanic action.
The Cascade and Olympic Mountains are part of a
great Ring of Fire.
Volcanoes Shaped
Columbia Plateau
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Lava covered the Columbia Plateau.
Volcanic ash and dust covered parts of the Plateau
and created rich soil.
Today, this is the Palouse wheat-growing region in
eastern Washington.
The Lessons of Mt. St. Helens
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Mt. St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980.
The eruption was equal to 21,000 atomic bombs.
The destruction was great and 57 people lost their
lives.
Some people ignored warning signs and stayed
near the mountain.
The mountain will erupt again.
Ice Age Washington
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About 1 million to 10,000 years ago, an ice age covered
much of Washington with snow and ice.
Glaciers grew and shrank as the temperature changed.
Moving glaciers shaped the Puget Sound Lowlands.
Ice dams blocked rivers and formed prehistoric lakes.
Water broke through dams, causing immense floods.
Every 50 years or so for 2,000 years, floods occurred.
Grand Coulee was created during the ice age by ice and
floodwater.
Fossils are Clues to the Past
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Fossils of plant and animal life tell us about the region in
which they were found.
Shells and bones from ancient sea life tell us that oceans
once covered our land.
Plant fossils in central Washington indicate that a large
tropical rainforest once flourished there.
Coal was formed by the combination of prehistoric plants,
heat, and pressure over millions of years.
Deposits of coal and other fossils that can be burned are
considered fossil fuels.
Environmentalists warn that greenhouse gases are
produced by burning fossil fuels.