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
Shaded-relief and color shaded-relief maps of the Willamette Valley, Oregon Shaded-relief and color shaded-relief maps of the Willamette Valley, Oregon
This Open-File Report is released as a digital map database. It includes PostScript plot files that contain images of the map sheets; the images also contain a brief explanation describing the geology and physiography of the study area. The digital map database is a compilation of newly published 10-m digital-elevation-model (DEM) data for western Oregon and represents the physiography...
Authors
R. W. Givler, Ray E. Wells
Upper crustal structure in Puget Lowland, Washington: Results from the 1998 Seismic Hazards Investigation in Puget Sound Upper crustal structure in Puget Lowland, Washington: Results from the 1998 Seismic Hazards Investigation in Puget Sound
A new three-dimensional (3-D) model shows seismic velocities beneath the Puget Lowland to a depth of 11 km. The model is based on a tomographic inversion of nearly one million first-arrival travel times recorded during the 1998 Seismic Hazards Investigation in Puget Sound (SHIPS), allowing higher-resolution mapping of subsurface structures than previously possible. The model allows us to...
Authors
T.M. Brocher, T. Parsons, R.J. Blakely, N.I. Christensen, M. Fisher, R.E. Wells, Uri S. ten Brink, T. Pratt, R. Crosson, K. Creager, N. Symons, L.A. Preston, T. Van Wagoner, K.C. Miller, C.M. Snelson, A.M. Trehu, V.E. Langenheim, G.D. Spence, K. Ramachandran, R.A. Hyndman, D. Mosher, B.C. Zelt, C.S. Weaver
Northward migration of the Cascadia forearc in the northwestern U.S. and implications for subduction deformation Northward migration of the Cascadia forearc in the northwestern U.S. and implications for subduction deformation
Geologic and paleomagnetic data from the Cascadia forearc indicate long-term northward migration and clockwise rotation of an Oregon coastal block with respect to North America. Paleomagnetic rotation of coastal Oregon is linked by a Klamath Mountains pole to geodetically and geologically determined motion of the Sierra Nevada block to derive a new Oregon Coast—North America (OC-NA) pole...
Authors
R.E. Wells, R.W. Simpson
Reconnaissance geologic map of the Dixonville 7.5' quadrangle, Oregon Reconnaissance geologic map of the Dixonville 7.5' quadrangle, Oregon
The Dixonville 7.5 minute quadrangle is situated near the edge of two major geologic and tectonic provinces the northernmost Klamath Mountains and the southeastern part of the Oregon Coast Ranges (Figure 1). Rocks of the Klamath Mountains province that lie within the study area include ultramafic, mafic, intermediate and siliceous igneous types (Diller, 1898, Ramp, 1972, Ryberg, 1984)...
Authors
Angela Jayko, Ray E. Wells, R. Givler, J.S. Fenton, M. Sinor
New aeromagnetic data reveal large strike-slip (?) faults in the Northern Willamette Valley, Oregon New aeromagnetic data reveal large strike-slip (?) faults in the Northern Willamette Valley, Oregon
High-resolution aeromagnetic data from the northern Willamette Valley, Oregon, reveal large, northwest-striking faults buried beneath Quaternary basin sediments. Several faults known from geologic mapping are well defined by the data and appear to extend far beyond their mapped surface traces. The Mount Angel fault, the likely source of the Richter magnitude (M1) 5.6 earthquake in 1993...
Authors
Richard Blakely, Ray Wells, T.L. Tolan, M.H. Beeson, A.M. Trehu, L.M. Liberty
Puget Sound aeromagnetic maps and data Puget Sound aeromagnetic maps and data
No abstract available.
Authors
Richard Blakely, Ray E. Wells, Craig Weaver
Geologic processes of accretion in the Cascadia subduction zone west of Washington State Geologic processes of accretion in the Cascadia subduction zone west of Washington State
The continental margin west of Oregon and Washington undergoes a northward transition in morphology, from a relatively narrow, steep slope west of Oregon to a broad, midslope terrace off Washington. Multichannel seismic (MCS) reflection data collected over the accretionary complex show that the morphologic transition is accompanied by significant change in accretionary style: West of...
Authors
M. Fisher, E.R. Flueh, D.W. Scholl, T. Parsons, R.E. Wells, A. Trehu, Uri S. ten Brink, C.S. Weaver
Three-dimensional velocity structure of Siletzia and other accreted terranes in the Cascadia forearc of Washington Three-dimensional velocity structure of Siletzia and other accreted terranes in the Cascadia forearc of Washington
Eocene mafic crust with high seismic velocities underlies much of the Oregon and Washington forearc and acts as a backstop for accretion of marine sedimentary rocks from the obliquely subducting Juan de Fuca slab. Arc-parallel migration of relatively strong blocks of this terrane, known as Siletzia, focuses upper crustal deformation along block boundaries, which are potential sources of...
Authors
T. Parsons, R.E. Wells, M. Fisher, E. Flueh, Uri S. ten Brink
Preliminary geologic map of the Uncas 7.5' quadrangle, Clallam and Jefferson counties, Washington Preliminary geologic map of the Uncas 7.5' quadrangle, Clallam and Jefferson counties, Washington
These are the digital files used to create the map in USGS OFR 99-421. The 1:24,000 scale map shows the bedrock and surficial deposts of the Uncas 7.5' quadrangle, Clallam and Jefferson counties, Washington. Digital files include ARC/Info coverages in export format of geology, and strike and dip information.
Authors
Peter Haeussler, Jim Yount, Ray E. Wells
Scenic drive landslide of January-March 1998, La Honda, San Mateo County, California Scenic drive landslide of January-March 1998, La Honda, San Mateo County, California
The small rural town of La Honda, Calif., is an unincorporated region of San Mateo County situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains in the western part of the San Francisco peninsula. Much of the town is underlain by a previously recognized ancient landslide complex. The ancient slide complex covers about 1.0 to 1.25 km2, parts of which have been historically active. This report describes a...
Authors
Angela Jayko, Michael Rymer, Carol Prentice, Ray Wilson, Ray E. Wells
Fore-arc migration in Cascadia and its neotectonic significance Fore-arc migration in Cascadia and its neotectonic significance
Neogene deformation, paleomagnetic rotations, and sparse geodetic data suggest the Cascadia fore arc is migrating northward along the coast and breaking up into large rotating blocks. Deformation occurs mostly around the margins of a large, relatively aseismic Oregon coastal block composed of thick, accreted seamount crust. This 400-km-long block is moving slowly clockwise with respect...
Authors
R.E. Wells
A new view into the Cascadia subduction zone and volcanic arc: Implications for earthquake hazards along the Washington margin A new view into the Cascadia subduction zone and volcanic arc: Implications for earthquake hazards along the Washington margin
In light of suggestions that the Cascadia subduction margin may pose a significant seismic hazard for the highly populated Pacific Northwest region of the United States, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Research Center for Marine Geosciences (GEOMAR), and university collaborators collected and interpreted a 530-km-long wide-angle onshore-offshore seismic transect across the...
Authors
T. Parsons, A.M. Trehu, J.H. Luetgert, K. Miller, F. Kilbride, R.E. Wells, M. Fisher, E. Flueh, Uri S. ten Brink, N.I. Christensen
Science and Products
Filter Total Items: 108
Shaded-relief and color shaded-relief maps of the Willamette Valley, Oregon Shaded-relief and color shaded-relief maps of the Willamette Valley, Oregon
This Open-File Report is released as a digital map database. It includes PostScript plot files that contain images of the map sheets; the images also contain a brief explanation describing the geology and physiography of the study area. The digital map database is a compilation of newly published 10-m digital-elevation-model (DEM) data for western Oregon and represents the physiography...
Authors
R. W. Givler, Ray E. Wells
Upper crustal structure in Puget Lowland, Washington: Results from the 1998 Seismic Hazards Investigation in Puget Sound Upper crustal structure in Puget Lowland, Washington: Results from the 1998 Seismic Hazards Investigation in Puget Sound
A new three-dimensional (3-D) model shows seismic velocities beneath the Puget Lowland to a depth of 11 km. The model is based on a tomographic inversion of nearly one million first-arrival travel times recorded during the 1998 Seismic Hazards Investigation in Puget Sound (SHIPS), allowing higher-resolution mapping of subsurface structures than previously possible. The model allows us to...
Authors
T.M. Brocher, T. Parsons, R.J. Blakely, N.I. Christensen, M. Fisher, R.E. Wells, Uri S. ten Brink, T. Pratt, R. Crosson, K. Creager, N. Symons, L.A. Preston, T. Van Wagoner, K.C. Miller, C.M. Snelson, A.M. Trehu, V.E. Langenheim, G.D. Spence, K. Ramachandran, R.A. Hyndman, D. Mosher, B.C. Zelt, C.S. Weaver
Northward migration of the Cascadia forearc in the northwestern U.S. and implications for subduction deformation Northward migration of the Cascadia forearc in the northwestern U.S. and implications for subduction deformation
Geologic and paleomagnetic data from the Cascadia forearc indicate long-term northward migration and clockwise rotation of an Oregon coastal block with respect to North America. Paleomagnetic rotation of coastal Oregon is linked by a Klamath Mountains pole to geodetically and geologically determined motion of the Sierra Nevada block to derive a new Oregon Coast—North America (OC-NA) pole...
Authors
R.E. Wells, R.W. Simpson
Reconnaissance geologic map of the Dixonville 7.5' quadrangle, Oregon Reconnaissance geologic map of the Dixonville 7.5' quadrangle, Oregon
The Dixonville 7.5 minute quadrangle is situated near the edge of two major geologic and tectonic provinces the northernmost Klamath Mountains and the southeastern part of the Oregon Coast Ranges (Figure 1). Rocks of the Klamath Mountains province that lie within the study area include ultramafic, mafic, intermediate and siliceous igneous types (Diller, 1898, Ramp, 1972, Ryberg, 1984)...
Authors
Angela Jayko, Ray E. Wells, R. Givler, J.S. Fenton, M. Sinor
New aeromagnetic data reveal large strike-slip (?) faults in the Northern Willamette Valley, Oregon New aeromagnetic data reveal large strike-slip (?) faults in the Northern Willamette Valley, Oregon
High-resolution aeromagnetic data from the northern Willamette Valley, Oregon, reveal large, northwest-striking faults buried beneath Quaternary basin sediments. Several faults known from geologic mapping are well defined by the data and appear to extend far beyond their mapped surface traces. The Mount Angel fault, the likely source of the Richter magnitude (M1) 5.6 earthquake in 1993...
Authors
Richard Blakely, Ray Wells, T.L. Tolan, M.H. Beeson, A.M. Trehu, L.M. Liberty
Puget Sound aeromagnetic maps and data Puget Sound aeromagnetic maps and data
No abstract available.
Authors
Richard Blakely, Ray E. Wells, Craig Weaver
Geologic processes of accretion in the Cascadia subduction zone west of Washington State Geologic processes of accretion in the Cascadia subduction zone west of Washington State
The continental margin west of Oregon and Washington undergoes a northward transition in morphology, from a relatively narrow, steep slope west of Oregon to a broad, midslope terrace off Washington. Multichannel seismic (MCS) reflection data collected over the accretionary complex show that the morphologic transition is accompanied by significant change in accretionary style: West of...
Authors
M. Fisher, E.R. Flueh, D.W. Scholl, T. Parsons, R.E. Wells, A. Trehu, Uri S. ten Brink, C.S. Weaver
Three-dimensional velocity structure of Siletzia and other accreted terranes in the Cascadia forearc of Washington Three-dimensional velocity structure of Siletzia and other accreted terranes in the Cascadia forearc of Washington
Eocene mafic crust with high seismic velocities underlies much of the Oregon and Washington forearc and acts as a backstop for accretion of marine sedimentary rocks from the obliquely subducting Juan de Fuca slab. Arc-parallel migration of relatively strong blocks of this terrane, known as Siletzia, focuses upper crustal deformation along block boundaries, which are potential sources of...
Authors
T. Parsons, R.E. Wells, M. Fisher, E. Flueh, Uri S. ten Brink
Preliminary geologic map of the Uncas 7.5' quadrangle, Clallam and Jefferson counties, Washington Preliminary geologic map of the Uncas 7.5' quadrangle, Clallam and Jefferson counties, Washington
These are the digital files used to create the map in USGS OFR 99-421. The 1:24,000 scale map shows the bedrock and surficial deposts of the Uncas 7.5' quadrangle, Clallam and Jefferson counties, Washington. Digital files include ARC/Info coverages in export format of geology, and strike and dip information.
Authors
Peter Haeussler, Jim Yount, Ray E. Wells
Scenic drive landslide of January-March 1998, La Honda, San Mateo County, California Scenic drive landslide of January-March 1998, La Honda, San Mateo County, California
The small rural town of La Honda, Calif., is an unincorporated region of San Mateo County situated in the Santa Cruz Mountains in the western part of the San Francisco peninsula. Much of the town is underlain by a previously recognized ancient landslide complex. The ancient slide complex covers about 1.0 to 1.25 km2, parts of which have been historically active. This report describes a...
Authors
Angela Jayko, Michael Rymer, Carol Prentice, Ray Wilson, Ray E. Wells
Fore-arc migration in Cascadia and its neotectonic significance Fore-arc migration in Cascadia and its neotectonic significance
Neogene deformation, paleomagnetic rotations, and sparse geodetic data suggest the Cascadia fore arc is migrating northward along the coast and breaking up into large rotating blocks. Deformation occurs mostly around the margins of a large, relatively aseismic Oregon coastal block composed of thick, accreted seamount crust. This 400-km-long block is moving slowly clockwise with respect...
Authors
R.E. Wells
A new view into the Cascadia subduction zone and volcanic arc: Implications for earthquake hazards along the Washington margin A new view into the Cascadia subduction zone and volcanic arc: Implications for earthquake hazards along the Washington margin
In light of suggestions that the Cascadia subduction margin may pose a significant seismic hazard for the highly populated Pacific Northwest region of the United States, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Research Center for Marine Geosciences (GEOMAR), and university collaborators collected and interpreted a 530-km-long wide-angle onshore-offshore seismic transect across the...
Authors
T. Parsons, A.M. Trehu, J.H. Luetgert, K. Miller, F. Kilbride, R.E. Wells, M. Fisher, E. Flueh, Uri S. ten Brink, N.I. Christensen
*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