Ringold Formation

Ringold Formation
Stratigraphic range: Neogene
The Columbia River flowing through the Ringold Formation.
TypeFormation
UnderliesDeposits from Missoula Floods[1]
OverliesColumbia River Basalt Group
Thickness1,000 feet (300 m)[2]
Location
Coordinates46°40′01″N 119°26′10″W / 46.667°N 119.436°W / 46.667; -119.436[3]
RegionWashington (state)
CountryUnited States
Type section
Named forRingold Post Office[4]
Named byJohn C. Merriam, John P. Buwalda[5]

The Ringold Formation is a geologic formation in Eastern Washington, United States. The formation consists of sediment laid down by the Columbia River following the flood basalt eruptions of the Columbia River Basalt Group, and reaches up to 1,000 feet (300 m) thick in places.[6][2] It preserves fossils dating back to the Neogene period.[7]

Exposures of the Ringold Formation can be found from Hanford Reach National Monument north to the Moses Lake area.[5] Large portions of the formation are buried by other sediment deposits, extending as far as Wallula Gap southeast of Kennewick.[8] In recent years, irrigation water entering the groundwater system has destabilized some Ringold Formation slopes and cliffs, causing landslides.[9] The formation was named in 1917 for a school of the same name that existed at the time. Ringold School was located on the Franklin County side of the Columbia River to the south of Savage Island.[4][10]

  1. ^ Michael Oard; John Hergenrather; Peter Klevberg (2006). "Flood transported quartzites: Part 2—west of the Rocky Mountains". Journal of Creation. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
  2. ^ a b "Paleontology - Hanford Reach". United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
  3. ^ David Hagen. "White Bluffs South". Washington Trails Association. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
  4. ^ a b John C. Merriam; John P. Buwalda (1917). Age of strata referred to the Ellensburgh formation in the White Bluffs of the Columbia River. University of California.
  5. ^ a b J. ERIC SCHUSTER; CHARLES W. GULICK; STEPHEN P. REIDEL; KARL R. FECHT; STEPHANIE ZURENKO (1997). "Geologic Map of Washington - Southeast Quadrant" (PDF). Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
  6. ^ "Columbia River". United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
  7. ^ Various Contributors to the Paleobiology Database. "Fossilworks: Gateway to the Paleobiology Database". Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference MinesandGeology was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Reach was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ C.P. McKinley (1922). Hanford Quadrangle (Map). 1:62,500. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2019-12-20.