A Splash of Color -- Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon
by Darin Volpe
Title
A Splash of Color -- Latourell Falls in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon
Artist
Darin Volpe
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
Latourell Falls was my favorite of all the waterfalls I visited in the Columbia River National Scenic Area. The wispy white water against the basalt made for a fascinating contrast in textures.
The Columbia River Gorge has an incredible geologic history. Huge outpouring of lava about 15 million years ago flooded large parts of northern Oregon and Washington. Slowly cooling, the lava formed geometric columns of basalt. Over the next few million years the Columbia River carved its way through the stone, revealing the hexagonal shapes. Eventually a creek found its way to the canyon's edge, creating the 224-foot Latourell Falls.
Mist from the falling water filled the air, and provided a constant supply of water to the plants clinging to the volcanic columns. Being late summer, the waterfall's flow was light which allowed a glimpse of the columnar basalt behind it.
Uploaded
December 16th, 2021
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