Driving across the state of Oregon takes a few hours, but on that drive, you can witness millions of years of geology unfold outside your car window. The spectacular snow-capped volcanoes of the Cascades, deep river canyons, glaciated valleys, the expansive High Desert, the lush, forested valleys of the Coast Range, rivers formed by underground springs, and layers of time written across exposed rock faces are just a few of the geological features present across the Pacific Northwest.

Visiting some of these sites can make for an excellent road trip any time of the year.

But if you would rather wait for warmer and drier conditions, or are looking for suggestions on where to go, you can learn all about the geology of the Pacific Northwest from the comfort of your own home on an upcoming Wild Wednesday Webcast with Oregon Wild.

Marli Miller, author of “Roadside Geology of Oregon” and “Oregon Rocks! A Guide to 60 Amazing Geologic Sites,” joins Oregon Wild on Wednesday to explore the geology of Oregon and Washington as seen along federal and state highways. Starting with the region’s plate tectonic setting, Miller will explain the process of continental growth that forms its diverse geologic foundation, followed by a photographic “road trip” through the Columbia Gorge to showcase some of the area’s younger features.

If You Go

What: “Assembling the Pacific Northwest: Seeing Oregon and Washington’s Geology” Webinar

When: 6 p.m. Wednesday

Details: Register for free at oregonwild.org/event/seeing-oregon-and-washingtons-geology