Pine Mountain (Oregon)

Pine Mountain is a rhyolitic mountain east of Bend and south of U.S. Route 20 (US 20) in eastern Deschutes County, Oregon, United States.[3] It is the site of an astronomical observatory called the Pine Mountain Observatory.[4] The mountain is a part of the Deschutes Formation (which is related to Cascade volcanism) and is the southeasternmost exposure of the formation and is of similar age to Cline Buttes.[2] Pine Mountain is also well known for its spectacular "glass off" weather conditions which are ideal for paragliding.[4]

Pine Mountain
Highest point
Elevation6,509 feet (1,984 m)[1]
Coordinates43°48′11″N 120°54′48″W[1]
Geography
LocationDeschutes, Oregon, U.S.
Topo mapUSGS Pine Mountain
Geology
Age of rock6.25 Ma[2]
Mountain typePyroclastic cone

Geology

Pine Mountain shows considerable erosion and is covered with thick soil deposits.[3] The mountain consists of basalt, rhyolite, andesite and dacite.[5][6] Dunes mark the northwest flank of the mountain, consisting of pumiceous dust and lapilli.[7]

History

On September 17, 1984 a large fireball was seen from the Pine Mountain Observatory heading northeasterly before breaking into six orange fragments.[8]

References
  1. "Pine Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  2. Ford, Mark T; Grunder, Anita L; Duncan, Robert A (2013). "Bimodal volcanism of the High Lava Plains and Northwestern Basin and Range of Oregon: Distribution and tectonic implications of age-progressive rhyolites". Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. 14 (8): 2836–57. doi:10.1002/ggge.20175.
  3. "Geology and Mineral Resources of Deschutes County, Oregon" (PDF). OregonGeology.org. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  4. "Paragliding Evening Glass Off". alpenglow.org. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  5. Higgins, Michael W.; Waters, Aaron C. (March 1967). "Newberry Caldera, Oregon: A Preliminary Report". The Ore Bin. 29 (3): 37–60. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.614.3401.
  6. "Newberry Volcano, Oregon: A Cascade Range geothermal prospect" (PDF). OregonGeology.org. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  7. "Preliminary Report on the Geology and Water Resources of Central Oregon" (PDF). PUBS.USGS.GOV. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  8. "Large fireball sighted in Pacific Northwest: More information needed" (PDF). OregonGeology.org. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
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