Ray Wells
Ray Wells is a research geologist in the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. Ray combines geologic mapping, structural geology and geophysical data to better understand the processes of crustal deformation, volcanism, and earthquake hazards of the Cascadia convergent margin in Oregon and Washington.
Ray Wells received his B.S. in Geological Science from Penn State, his M.S. from University of Oregon, and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Cruz. He has 45 years of field experience documenting the geologic structure and earthquake hazards of the Cascadia convergent margin in Oregon and Washington, focusing primarily on the Coast Range, Seattle - Portland urban corridor, and the Columbia River Gorge.
Professional Experience
2020-current, Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey
2017-Research Associate, Portland State University, Portland, OR
2016-Research Geologist Emeritus, U.S. Geological Survey
1995-2013 Project Chief, Pacific Northwest Urban Corridor Geologic Mapping, USGS, Menlo Park, CA
1991-1996 Cascadia Regional Coordinator - USGS Deep Continental Surveys
1981-2016 Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey
1980 Geologist, Washington Division of Geology and Earth Resources
1978-1980 Research Assistant, University of California, Santa Cruz
1976-1977 Teaching Assistant, University of California, Santa Cruz
1975-1976 Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey
1974 Geological Field Assistant, Mobil Oil Corp., Tyee Basin
1972-1974 Teaching Assistant, University of Oregon
1971 Geological Field Assistant, Johns-Mannville Ltd, Stillwater Complex
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geology, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1982
M.S., Geology, University of Oregon, 1975
B.S., Geology, Art, Pennsylvania State University, 1972
Affiliations and Memberships*
1977 - Current, American Geophysical Union
1974 - Current, Geological Society of America
1990 - Current, Seismological Society of America (Fellow)
Bureau of Reclamation
Portland State University
Honors and Awards
Distinguished Service Award of the Department of the Interior
2017 Geological Society of America’s Geologic Mapping Award in honor of Florence Bascom
Geological Society of America George P. Woollard Award for outstanding contributions to geology through the application of the principles and techniques of geophysics
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 108
Tectonic setting of the Wooded Island earthquake swarm, eastern Washington Tectonic setting of the Wooded Island earthquake swarm, eastern Washington
Magnetic anomalies provide insights into the tectonic implications of a swarm of ~1500 shallow (~1 km deep) earthquakes that occurred in 2009 on the Hanford site,Washington. Epicenters were concentrated in a 2 km2 area nearWooded Island in the Columbia River. The largest earthquake (M 3.0) had first motions consistent with slip on a northwest-striking reverse fault. The swarm was...
Authors
Richard Blakely, Brian Sherrod, Craig Weaver, Alan Rohay, Ray E. Wells
Connecting the Yakima fold and thrust belt to active faults in the Puget Lowland, Washington Connecting the Yakima fold and thrust belt to active faults in the Puget Lowland, Washington
High-resolution aeromagnetic surveys of the Cascade Range and Yakima fold and thrust belt (YFTB), Washington, provide insights on tectonic connections between forearc and back-arc regions of the Cascadia convergent margin. Magnetic surveys were measured at a nominal altitude of 250 m above terrain and along flight lines spaced 400 m apart. Upper crustal rocks in this region have diverse...
Authors
R.J. Blakely, B.L. Sherrod, C.S. Weaver, R.E. Wells, A.C. Rohay, E. Barnett, N.E. Knepprath
Hydrogeology of the Columbia River Basalt Group in the northern Willamette Valley Hydrogeology of the Columbia River Basalt Group in the northern Willamette Valley
No abstract available.
Authors
W Burt, Terrence Conlon, T.L. Tolan, R.E. Wells, J Melady
Saddle Mountain fault deformation zone, Olympic Peninsula, Washington: Western boundary of the Seattle uplift Saddle Mountain fault deformation zone, Olympic Peninsula, Washington: Western boundary of the Seattle uplift
The Saddle Mountain fault, first recognized in the early 1970s, is now well mapped in the Hoodsport area, southeastern Olympic Peninsula (northwestern United States), on the basis of light detection and ranging (LIDAR) surveys, aerial photography, and trench excavations. Drowned trees and trench excavations demonstrate that the Saddle Mountain fault produced a MW 6.5–7.0 earthquake 1000...
Authors
Richard Blakely, Brian Sherrod, Jonathan Hughes, Megan L. Anderson, Ray Wells, Craig Weaver
Geologic Map of the Carlton Quadrangle, Yamhill County, Oregon Geologic Map of the Carlton Quadrangle, Yamhill County, Oregon
The Carlton, Oregon, 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in northwestern Oregon, about 35 miles (57 km) southwest of Portland. It encompasses the towns of Yamhill and Carlton in the northwestern Willamette Valley and extends into the eastern flank of the Oregon Coast Range. The Carlton quadrangle is one of several dozen quadrangles being mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the...
Authors
Karen Wheeler, Ray E. Wells, Joseph Minervini, Jessica Block
The Columbia River Basalt Group: from the gorge to the sea The Columbia River Basalt Group: from the gorge to the sea
Miocene flood basalts of the Columbia River Basalt Group inundated eastern Washington, Oregon, and adjacent Idaho between 17 and 6 Ma. Some of the more voluminous flows followed the ancestral Columbia River across the Cascade arc, Puget-Willamette trough, and the Coast Range to the Pacific Ocean. We have used field mapping, chemistry, and paleomagnetic directions to trace individual...
Authors
Ray E. Wells, Alan Niem, Russell Evarts, Jonathan Hagstrum
Paleomagnetism of Miocene volcanic rocks in the Newberry Mountains, California: Vertical-axis rotation and a polarity transition Paleomagnetism of Miocene volcanic rocks in the Newberry Mountains, California: Vertical-axis rotation and a polarity transition
No abstract available.
Authors
John Hillhouse, R.E. Wells, B. Cox
The Portland Basin: A (big) river runs through it The Portland Basin: A (big) river runs through it
Metropolitan Portland, Oregon, USA, lies within a small Neogene to Holocene basin in the forearc of the Cascadia subduction system. Although the basin owes its existence and structural development to its convergent-margin tectonic setting, the stratigraphic architecture of basin-fill deposits chiefly reflects its physiographic position along the lower reaches of the continental-scale...
Authors
Russell Evarts, Jim E. O'Connor, Ray E. Wells, Ian Madin
By
Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, Mineral Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, National Laboratories Program, Science and Decisions Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center
Fault locking, block rotation and crustal deformation in the Pacific Northwest Fault locking, block rotation and crustal deformation in the Pacific Northwest
We interpret Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements in the northwestern United States and adjacent parts of western Canada to describe relative motions of crustal blocks, locking on faults and permanent deformation associated with convergence between the Juan de Fuca and North American plates. To estimate angular velocities of the oceanic Juan de Fuca and Explorer plates and...
Authors
Robert McCaffrey, Anthony Qamar, Robert King, Ray E. Wells, G. Khazaradze, C.A. Williams, C.W. Stevens, J.J. Vollick, P.C. Zwick
Oregon geology — Parent of the soil, foundation for the vine Oregon geology — Parent of the soil, foundation for the vine
This presentation describes USGS geologic mapping in western Oregon, geologic map products, a thumbnail sketch of geologic history, a discussion of new mapping in progress in northwest Oregon, a tour of northwest Oregon geologic units, their relation to new American Viticultural Areas, and online sources of information.
Authors
Ray Wells
Linking middle-school teachers to Earthscope Linking middle-school teachers to Earthscope
EarthScope is a multidisciplinary geophysical investigation of the structure and deformation of the North American continent. Components include a transportable array of digital seismometers (USArray) that will image the continental crust and underlying mantle, and Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and strainmeters (Plate Boundary Observatory, PBO) that will measure tectonic and...
Authors
R. Butler, E. Bishop, C. Ault, B. Atwater, B. Magura, C. Hedeen, R. Blakely, Ray E. Wells, K. Shay, R. Wagner, T. Southworth-Neumeyer, D. Connor
Map showing features and displacements of the Scenic Drive landslide, La Honda, California, during the period March 31, 2005–November 5, 2006 Map showing features and displacements of the Scenic Drive landslide, La Honda, California, during the period March 31, 2005–November 5, 2006
The Scenic Drive landslide in La Honda, San Mateo County, California began movement during the El Niño winter of 1997-98. Recurrent motion occurred during the mild El Niño winter of 2004-2005 and again during the winter of 2005-06. This report documents the changing geometry and motion of the Scenic Drive landslide in 2005-2006, and it documents changes and persistent features that we...
Authors
Ray E. Wells, Michael Rymer, Carol Prentice, Karen Wheeler
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 108
Tectonic setting of the Wooded Island earthquake swarm, eastern Washington Tectonic setting of the Wooded Island earthquake swarm, eastern Washington
Magnetic anomalies provide insights into the tectonic implications of a swarm of ~1500 shallow (~1 km deep) earthquakes that occurred in 2009 on the Hanford site,Washington. Epicenters were concentrated in a 2 km2 area nearWooded Island in the Columbia River. The largest earthquake (M 3.0) had first motions consistent with slip on a northwest-striking reverse fault. The swarm was...
Authors
Richard Blakely, Brian Sherrod, Craig Weaver, Alan Rohay, Ray E. Wells
Connecting the Yakima fold and thrust belt to active faults in the Puget Lowland, Washington Connecting the Yakima fold and thrust belt to active faults in the Puget Lowland, Washington
High-resolution aeromagnetic surveys of the Cascade Range and Yakima fold and thrust belt (YFTB), Washington, provide insights on tectonic connections between forearc and back-arc regions of the Cascadia convergent margin. Magnetic surveys were measured at a nominal altitude of 250 m above terrain and along flight lines spaced 400 m apart. Upper crustal rocks in this region have diverse...
Authors
R.J. Blakely, B.L. Sherrod, C.S. Weaver, R.E. Wells, A.C. Rohay, E. Barnett, N.E. Knepprath
Hydrogeology of the Columbia River Basalt Group in the northern Willamette Valley Hydrogeology of the Columbia River Basalt Group in the northern Willamette Valley
No abstract available.
Authors
W Burt, Terrence Conlon, T.L. Tolan, R.E. Wells, J Melady
Saddle Mountain fault deformation zone, Olympic Peninsula, Washington: Western boundary of the Seattle uplift Saddle Mountain fault deformation zone, Olympic Peninsula, Washington: Western boundary of the Seattle uplift
The Saddle Mountain fault, first recognized in the early 1970s, is now well mapped in the Hoodsport area, southeastern Olympic Peninsula (northwestern United States), on the basis of light detection and ranging (LIDAR) surveys, aerial photography, and trench excavations. Drowned trees and trench excavations demonstrate that the Saddle Mountain fault produced a MW 6.5–7.0 earthquake 1000...
Authors
Richard Blakely, Brian Sherrod, Jonathan Hughes, Megan L. Anderson, Ray Wells, Craig Weaver
Geologic Map of the Carlton Quadrangle, Yamhill County, Oregon Geologic Map of the Carlton Quadrangle, Yamhill County, Oregon
The Carlton, Oregon, 7.5-minute quadrangle is located in northwestern Oregon, about 35 miles (57 km) southwest of Portland. It encompasses the towns of Yamhill and Carlton in the northwestern Willamette Valley and extends into the eastern flank of the Oregon Coast Range. The Carlton quadrangle is one of several dozen quadrangles being mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the...
Authors
Karen Wheeler, Ray E. Wells, Joseph Minervini, Jessica Block
The Columbia River Basalt Group: from the gorge to the sea The Columbia River Basalt Group: from the gorge to the sea
Miocene flood basalts of the Columbia River Basalt Group inundated eastern Washington, Oregon, and adjacent Idaho between 17 and 6 Ma. Some of the more voluminous flows followed the ancestral Columbia River across the Cascade arc, Puget-Willamette trough, and the Coast Range to the Pacific Ocean. We have used field mapping, chemistry, and paleomagnetic directions to trace individual...
Authors
Ray E. Wells, Alan Niem, Russell Evarts, Jonathan Hagstrum
Paleomagnetism of Miocene volcanic rocks in the Newberry Mountains, California: Vertical-axis rotation and a polarity transition Paleomagnetism of Miocene volcanic rocks in the Newberry Mountains, California: Vertical-axis rotation and a polarity transition
No abstract available.
Authors
John Hillhouse, R.E. Wells, B. Cox
The Portland Basin: A (big) river runs through it The Portland Basin: A (big) river runs through it
Metropolitan Portland, Oregon, USA, lies within a small Neogene to Holocene basin in the forearc of the Cascadia subduction system. Although the basin owes its existence and structural development to its convergent-margin tectonic setting, the stratigraphic architecture of basin-fill deposits chiefly reflects its physiographic position along the lower reaches of the continental-scale...
Authors
Russell Evarts, Jim E. O'Connor, Ray E. Wells, Ian Madin
By
Geology, Energy, and Minerals Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Energy Resources Program, Groundwater and Streamflow Information Program, Mineral Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, National Laboratories Program, Science and Decisions Center, Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Oregon Water Science Center
Fault locking, block rotation and crustal deformation in the Pacific Northwest Fault locking, block rotation and crustal deformation in the Pacific Northwest
We interpret Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements in the northwestern United States and adjacent parts of western Canada to describe relative motions of crustal blocks, locking on faults and permanent deformation associated with convergence between the Juan de Fuca and North American plates. To estimate angular velocities of the oceanic Juan de Fuca and Explorer plates and...
Authors
Robert McCaffrey, Anthony Qamar, Robert King, Ray E. Wells, G. Khazaradze, C.A. Williams, C.W. Stevens, J.J. Vollick, P.C. Zwick
Oregon geology — Parent of the soil, foundation for the vine Oregon geology — Parent of the soil, foundation for the vine
This presentation describes USGS geologic mapping in western Oregon, geologic map products, a thumbnail sketch of geologic history, a discussion of new mapping in progress in northwest Oregon, a tour of northwest Oregon geologic units, their relation to new American Viticultural Areas, and online sources of information.
Authors
Ray Wells
Linking middle-school teachers to Earthscope Linking middle-school teachers to Earthscope
EarthScope is a multidisciplinary geophysical investigation of the structure and deformation of the North American continent. Components include a transportable array of digital seismometers (USArray) that will image the continental crust and underlying mantle, and Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and strainmeters (Plate Boundary Observatory, PBO) that will measure tectonic and...
Authors
R. Butler, E. Bishop, C. Ault, B. Atwater, B. Magura, C. Hedeen, R. Blakely, Ray E. Wells, K. Shay, R. Wagner, T. Southworth-Neumeyer, D. Connor
Map showing features and displacements of the Scenic Drive landslide, La Honda, California, during the period March 31, 2005–November 5, 2006 Map showing features and displacements of the Scenic Drive landslide, La Honda, California, during the period March 31, 2005–November 5, 2006
The Scenic Drive landslide in La Honda, San Mateo County, California began movement during the El Niño winter of 1997-98. Recurrent motion occurred during the mild El Niño winter of 2004-2005 and again during the winter of 2005-06. This report documents the changing geometry and motion of the Scenic Drive landslide in 2005-2006, and it documents changes and persistent features that we...
Authors
Ray E. Wells, Michael Rymer, Carol Prentice, Karen Wheeler
*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government