Power of Words
Washington has a diverse natural environment. The Cascade Mountains divide the state into two extremely different natural environments. Those areas west of the Cascades have a mild and moist climate. This moist climate allows dense forests and vegetation to grow.
The areas east of the Cascades, in contrast, have a harsh and dry climate. This dry climate allows mostly short grasses and sagebrush to grow. Drive over the mountain passes and you can very easily see the contrasts between western and eastern Washington. Contrasts are evident throughout the state of Washington. The saltwater environment of our bays, inlets, and harbors is different from the freshwater environment of Washington’s lakes and rivers. Hundreds of small rivers and streams do not compare in size to the Columbia River.
Our land changes quickly from the flat floodplains in the valleys to the tall mountain peaks and volcanoes. Low, rounded hills differ greatly from the towering jagged cliffs of the North Cascades. The huge Columbia Plateau easily dominates the much smaller Waterville Plateau. Hundreds of our small islands do not compare in size to Whidbey Island, the second largest island in the lower 48 states. Numerous peninsulas cannot compare in size to the Olympic Peninsula. All these contrasts in our state make for an amazingly diverse natural environment.
In this chapter, we will focus on physical features and how they affect the natural environment of Washington. Geologists classify landforms into five different categories: mountains, hills, plateaus, plains, and river valleys. Landforms, no matter the type, are constantly eroded by the forces of nature. As was discussed in Chapter One, volcanic activity, glaciation, and erosion have changed and shaped Washington’s physical terrain.
Physical Terrain
The physical terrain in Washington is diverse. There is very little level land and several mountain ranges. Elevations in the state range from sea level to 14,411 feet at Mount Rainier.
The areas east of the Cascades, in contrast, have a harsh and dry climate. This dry climate allows mostly short grasses and sagebrush to grow. Drive over the mountain passes and you can very easily see the contrasts between western and eastern Washington. Contrasts are evident throughout the state of Washington. The saltwater environment of our bays, inlets, and harbors is different from the freshwater environment of Washington’s lakes and rivers. Hundreds of small rivers and streams do not compare in size to the Columbia River.
Our land changes quickly from the flat floodplains in the valleys to the tall mountain peaks and volcanoes. Low, rounded hills differ greatly from the towering jagged cliffs of the North Cascades. The huge Columbia Plateau easily dominates the much smaller Waterville Plateau. Hundreds of our small islands do not compare in size to Whidbey Island, the second largest island in the lower 48 states. Numerous peninsulas cannot compare in size to the Olympic Peninsula. All these contrasts in our state make for an amazingly diverse natural environment.
In this chapter, we will focus on physical features and how they affect the natural environment of Washington. Geologists classify landforms into five different categories: mountains, hills, plateaus, plains, and river valleys. Landforms, no matter the type, are constantly eroded by the forces of nature. As was discussed in Chapter One, volcanic activity, glaciation, and erosion have changed and shaped Washington’s physical terrain.
Physical Terrain
The physical terrain in Washington is diverse. There is very little level land and several mountain ranges. Elevations in the state range from sea level to 14,411 feet at Mount Rainier.