Geology of the Tricities Field Trip
Schedule
Sat, 28 Mar, 2026 at 09:00 am
UTC-07:00Location
Richland Community Center | Richland, WA
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The Lake Lewis Chapter of the Ice Age Floods Institute (IAFI) is sponsoring an informal (carpool) field trip focused on the geology in and around Richland, Washington. We will leave from the southwest portion of the Richland Community Center (500 Amon Park Dr., Richland, WA 99352) parking lot (nearest to Wake-Up Coffee House). Please try to arrive by 8:45 AM so that we can get organized into as few vehicles as possible and be ready to leave by 9:00 am. We will try to get back around 3:30 or 4:00 pm.
This field trip will examine the geologic materials, processes, and geologic history of the Tri-City area, including exposures of the massive Columbia River basalts, ancestral Columbia River and Yakima River deposits, old sequences of Ice Age flood deposits (some greater than 780,000 years old), as well as younger Ice Age flood deposits and loess exposed at the Coyote Canyon Mammoth Site. There will be 5 or 6 main stops, with some cross-country hiking (up to 1.3 miles) on unimproved game trails. Some areas are pretty-steep, with uneven terrain and loose gravel, presenting slip, trip and fall hazards. Other physical hazards can also be present in places, including rusty nails, glass, sharp metal, wood, and masonry debris. There is also the potential for biological hazards such as ticks, yellowjackets, black widows, scorpions, rattlesnakes, and the ever-present cheat grass.
Please bring a lunch, snacks, water, etc. and be sure to dress appropriately for the weather conditions and for walking in uneven terrain. Wear sturdy shoes (no open toes, sandals, or flip-flops!), bring an extra layer of clothing, and be prepared for wind, rain, or sun. If it’s sunny and hot, you’ll need a hat and sunscreen. Oh, and be sure to bring a camera!
The field trip is free. However, carpooling and ride cost-sharing are encouraged. We also encourage you to join and/or donate to IAFI through https://iafi.org/join-iafi/ or donate to the IAFI K-12 Education Grant Program through https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-iafi-k-12-education-grant-program.
Please contact George Last ([email protected]) if you would like to attend, or if you have any questions.
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Where is it happening?
Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Dr, Richland, WA 99352-8597, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
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