Columbia River Basalts

Basalts deposited by volcanic activity shaped the Columbia River watershed.

COURTESY DAVID COMSTOCK

This wayside provides information about some of the lava flows that shaped the local landscape, especially the Columbia River. These prehistoric events laid the groundwork for the Manhattan Project, because the Columbia River’s abundant cold water and hydroelectricity, and the flat local landscape were important reasons for Hanford’s selection as a plutonium production site.