Explore the striking scenery and geology of the Columbia Gorge | Oregon Field Guide

Take a road trip with Portland State University geology Professor Emeritus Scott Burns for a geologic exploration of the Columbia River Gorge’s many striking features.

Burns explains the geologic story behind Multnomah Falls and Coyote Wall, and answers why the Oregon side of the gorge has many waterfalls, while the Washington side instead has landslides.

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[jodieharnden]

Any time spent listening to Scott Burns is time well spent!

[RC_Farm]

Dr Burns is the Best. His stories ROCK!

[jbmason]

By far the best geopolitical tour I have ever seen. There are much deeper but none more encompassing of our wonderful gem. Inspire your self and follow this tour in your car and listen to each segment as you arrive at each place.

[joeguerra]

Scott Burns is the Oregon geological go-to expert. He has such passion and energy about what he knows. You always leave more educated after hearing Dr.Burns than before you started.

[stephenolson]

This was the best explanation of the Columbia River gorge I've ever heard. Scott Burns you are amazing

[KingsMom]

Scott Burns is so much fun to listen to!
Love this!

[teressarenslow]

I grew up in Cascade Locks in the '60s and '70s and I never knew so much about the place as what I learned in this short video!
I would love to learn more!
This guy is a great teacher!

[stephenblack]

I'm headed to the Gorge from Texas next month. My 2nd visit there in 3 years.

[gregstump]

Fascinating! I think the gorge should be a full fledged National Park, it's absolutely amazing and beautiful. On another note, perhaps those green mysterious rounds are potholes from the floods that filled in with silt and through time developed into mounds by collecting wind borne silt on the plants that grow there....

[donkauer]

WOW! That was so fun, and even more educational. I've been in the Portland area my whole life of 61 years. I've traveled the Gorge so many times. I watch Nick Zentner a lot. But this presentation with Scott Burns brought a whole new interest for me. I really like Scott's way of explaining the details in laymans terms. Bringing in the that plywood with sand visual aid was above and beyond. That literally made me sit back in my chair and say "Oh wow!".

[jamesdriscoll_tmp]

It's nice to see some Oregon geology, because we got a bunch of it.

[martinginsburg]

Please more of these great vids. Oregon Rocks!

[YeahRightMCD]

Big geology energy. This guy is great!

[AlluneedisBTZ]

That was great! Educational, entertaining, and beautiful! Thank you for sharing. 🙂

[rogercotman]

What an amazing geological education of the area. Just LUV it. 442 like

[davec]

Good job, thank you Professor Scot Burns. Was hopping to attend your talk in Hillsboro in Feb. but it is sold out, next for sure stay safe!

[vf]

As you follow interstate 84 up the gorge east you will see dozens of wind turbines in different areas.... so beautiful. They should build a couple thousand more along the gorge.

[mray]

Fascinating to hear how these remarkable geological formations occurred. Thank you both for sharing.

[MojoMan]

Did he check for fairies in the green spots?

[Randy-znez]

Great explanation of how the landscape came to be. I wonder what people who believe in the Bible think because their Bible says that the earth is 6 thousand years old and that the earth was created in six days with god resting on the 7th day in Genesis chapters 1 and 2?