Initial Publication Date: April 12, 2024

Annual Meetings

For over 20 years, the Pacific Northwest Section has been holding annual meetings and field trips that focus on regional geology, research done by area professionals, and teaching methods. Section meetings attract professional geologists, 2 and 4-year college faculty, and K-12 educators from across the Pacific Northwest.

Upcoming Meeting:

2024 Annual Meeting, June 17-19, Yakima, WA (hosted by Yakima Valley College)

Join us in sunny Yakima, WA to meet colleagues from around the Pacific Northwest, share teaching techniques, and explore the amazing geology of the eastern slopes of the Cascades!

 Registration information:

 Call for presentations and posters:

If you would like to present a talk, workshop, or poster about any current research, Pacific Northwest Geology, or teaching practices, please submit your abstract using the form below by May 31, 2024. Students are encouraged to submit abstracts as well! 

 Monday, June 17: Conference Day, Yakima Valley College campus

  • Day: 
    • Invited and submitted presentations 
    • NAGT Section Business Meeting 
  • Evening: 
    • Dinner and keynote speaker at the Yakima Valley Musuem:
      • Speaker: Bruce Bjornstad, Ice Age Floodscapes
      • Enjoy displays on local geology (Gingko Petrified Forest, Cascade Volcanoes, Ice Ages) and more at the Yakima Valley Museum (entrance fee included with registration fee) 

  Tuesday, June 18: Field Trip

  • Fossils and fluvial sediments of the Swauk Formation 
    • We will drive the secluded Old Blewett Pass highway between Ellensburg and Wenatchee to find fossils and investigate how fluvial sedimentation changed with time from the ~51-52 Ma sedimentary rocks of the Swauk Formation. We will also discuss how to bring students or the public to learn from the rocks in this beautiful location. Minimal walking all on paved surfaces; no restroom facilities. 
    • Led by Bre McInnes, Central Washington University 

 

Wednesday, June 19: Field Trip

  • Geology History of the Highway 12 Corridor 
    • From Yakima, we will follow US Highway 12 up the eastern slopes of the Cascades, following the drainage of the Naches and Tieton Rivers. While our precise itinerary will depend on snowpack conditions, we will see igneous and volcaniclastic rocks from multiple episodes of volcanism in the Cascades, glacial valleys, mass wasting, and much more! Several short walks, restroom facilities will be available periodically throughout the day. 
    • Led by Zach Schierl and Suki Smaglik, Yakima Valley College

 Lodging information:

Yakima has many lodging options. The closest hotel to the YVC campus (~1 mile) is the Home2 Suites by Hilton.

Additional lodging can be found in the downtown Yakima area, which is 2-3 miles from campus:

  • Hilton Garden Inn Downtown
  • Hotel Maison (a boutique hotel)
  • Holiday Inn Yakima
  • Fairfield by Marriot
  • Red Lion Inn Yakima Center
  • Note: For your safety, hotels on North 1st Street are not recommended.

Questions? Contact the planning team:

Past Meetings:

2023 - NEW WESTMINSTER, BC, hosted by Douglas College

2022 - PENDLETON, OR, hosted by Blue Mountain Community College

2021 - VIRTUAL MEETING

2020 - NO MEETING (COVID)

2019 - PENTICTON, BC, hosted by Okanagan College

2018 - GRESHAM, OR

2017 - CRATERS OF THE MOON NATIONAL MONUMENT, ID

2016 - HELLS CANYON, ID

2015 - VICTORIA, BC

2014 - WENATCHEE, WA

2013 - COOS BAY, OR

2012 - SPOKANE, WA

2011 - MALHEUR FIELD STATION, OR

2010 - TWIN FALLS, ID

2009 - VANCOUVER, BC

2008 - YAKIMA, WA

2007 - PORTLAND, OR

2006 - BELLINGHAM,WA

2005 - COOS BAY, OR

2004 - WENATCHEE, WA

2003 - JUNEAU, AK

2002 - CORVALLIS, OR

2OO1 - BELLEVUE, WA

2000 - PORTLAND, OR

1999 - SPOKANE, WA

Interested in Hosting an Annual Meeting? 

Check out the guidelines for organizing a Section Conference (Acrobat (PDF) 93kB Dec15 04)

Contact the current section President