Together, Oregon and Washington reveal over 300 million years of Earth’s history. Our rocks record a tumultuous continent of ever shifting coastlines, rising and falling volcanoes, and dramatic swings in climate. Amid these rocks we see a fragile planet hit by several profound extinction events, including Earth’s largest. However, we also see a resilient planet as witnessed in the Pacific Northwest’s incredible fossil record. Indeed, life finds a way.

To write her second guidebook, A Rockhound’s Guide to Oregon & Washington, author Alison Jean Cole drove over 16,000 zig-zagging miles to uncover the the best of our geologies underfoot. She’ll share several of her favorite rock and fossil hunting locations, including:

• ancient forests buried in volcanic eruptions
• chunks of rock from the mantle
• ghost-like crystals from extinct deep-sea hydrothermal vents

The opportunities to find unusual and beautiful rocks abound. Join Cole on an exploration of the PNW’s most unusual geologies and rock collecting sites.

Alison Jean Cole is an author, artist, advocate, and outfitter guide. Her work all centers around the geological world, whether writing books, guiding rockhounding expeditions, cutting stones, or doing advocacy work to protect our public lands. Follow her on Instagram @alisonjeancole.