Paleogeographic Reconstruction of Northwestern Oregon Based on Eocene Freshwater Deposition in Accreted Terrane: ABSTRACT

Abstract

Freshwater deposits exposed in the Coast Range of Oregon have been identified by the absence of marine organisms, significant floral remains, and the identification of a freshwater fish assemblage. These facies have been correlated with foraminiferal and lithologic horizons from test wells from the Mist Gas field of northwestern Oregon. Consistent records of inner neritic and marginal marine deposition in the Narizian stage, upper Cowlitz Formation, suggest the existence of an Eocene volcanic archipelago. Foraminiferal correlation through this stage is complicated by the absence of stratigraphically significant species in several of the wells. Floral remains from exposed sections have provided diverse elements, allowing paleogeographic reconstruction. A sea level coastal swamp was dominated by a subtropical flora consisting of Sabalites, Platanophyllum, and Equisetum. The swamp was apparently backed by higher altitude volcanic uplands dominated by a more temperate flora including Cornus, Chamaecyparis, Ailanthus, Pinus, and Picea.