The Columbia River flowing through the Hanford reach of the arid Columbia River basin, eastern Washington. This reach is one of the few undammed segments of the Columbia River within the United States. Photograph taken from the White Bluffs, composed of sediment deposited in late Miocene and Pliocene Lake Ringold which occupied the Pasco Basin.
Jim E O'Connor
Jim O'Connor is a Research Geologist in the Geology, Minerals, Energy, and Geophysics Science Center. He chiefly works on the geology and geomorphology of the Pacific Northwest.
Jim O’Connor majored in Geological Science at University of Washington and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees at University of Arizona. Since 1991, he has worked at the U.S. Geological Survey, intent on improving understanding of the processes and events that shape the remarkable and diverse landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
Professional Experience
2014 - present, Research Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Portland, Oregon
1996 - present, Adjunct professor, Dept. Geology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
1996 - 2014, Research Hydrologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Portland, Oregon
1994 - 1996, Research Hydrologist, U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, Oregon
1991 - 1994, National Research Council Post-Doctoral Fellow, U.S. Geological Survey, Cascades Volcano Observatory, Vancouver, Washington
1985 - 1987, Hydrologist, Pima County Dept. Transportation and Flood Control, Tucson, Arizona
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., Geosciences, University of Arizona, 1990
M.S., Geosciencesm University of Arizona, 1985
B.S., Geological Sciences, University of Washington, 1982
Affiliations and Memberships*
1984 - present, Geological Society of America (Fellow)
1985 - present, American Geophysical Union
2015 - present, Sigma Xi
Portland State University
Oregon State University
Science and Products
Pacific Northwest Geologic Mapping: Northern Pacific Border, Cascades and Columbia
Geomorphology of the Sprague River Basin
Dam removal: synthesis of ecological and physical responses
Quinault Indian Reservation
Geospatial database for the geomorphic map of the Umatilla River corridor, Oregon
Orthophotograph of the Columbia River between Portland and The Dalles, Oregon, acquired in 1935
High-Resolution Aeromagnetic Survey Over Cascade Locks, Oregon, and Surrounding Areas
Field, Geochemical, Geochronological, and Magnetic Data from a Pliocene basalt flow along the Deschutes River in north-central Oregon
Geomorphic map of the Umatilla River corridor, Oregon
Geologic map of the greater Portland metropolitan area and surrounding region, Oregon and Washington
Geologic map of the Vancouver and Orchards quadrangles and parts of the Portland and Mount Tabor quadrangles, Clark County, Washington, and Multnomah County, Oregon
Geologic map of the Washougal quadrangle, Clark County, Washington, and Multnomah County, Oregon
Geologic map of the Camas Quadrangle, Clark County, Washington, and Multnomah County, Oregon
The Columbia River flowing through the Hanford reach of the arid Columbia River basin, eastern Washington. This reach is one of the few undammed segments of the Columbia River within the United States. Photograph taken from the White Bluffs, composed of sediment deposited in late Miocene and Pliocene Lake Ringold which occupied the Pasco Basin.
A panoramic view of the Columbia River and Miller Island near the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The island and cliff walls on both sides of the Columbia River are composed of stacked lava flows of the Columbia River Basalt Group.
A panoramic view of the Columbia River and Miller Island near the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The island and cliff walls on both sides of the Columbia River are composed of stacked lava flows of the Columbia River Basalt Group.
A view east from Munra Point, Oregon showing Bonneville Dam, the Bonneville landslide, and snowy Mount Adams in the hazy distance.
A view east from Munra Point, Oregon showing Bonneville Dam, the Bonneville landslide, and snowy Mount Adams in the hazy distance.
A view west of the western Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area from near Cascade Locks, Oregon. The toe of the Bonneville landslide is on the right, which blocked the Columbia River about 500 years ago.
A view west of the western Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area from near Cascade Locks, Oregon. The toe of the Bonneville landslide is on the right, which blocked the Columbia River about 500 years ago.
Freshwater tidal marsh of the Columbia River estuary, Cathlamet Bay in foreground, uplifted coastal ranges of the Cascadia forearc of Washington in background.
Freshwater tidal marsh of the Columbia River estuary, Cathlamet Bay in foreground, uplifted coastal ranges of the Cascadia forearc of Washington in background.
USGS scientists sampled sediment transport during (and after) the breaching of the Marmot Dam on the Sandy River, OR.
USGS scientists sampled sediment transport during (and after) the breaching of the Marmot Dam on the Sandy River, OR.
A far-traveled basalt lava flow in north-central Oregon, USA
The magmatic origen of the Columbia River Gorge, USA
Along subduction zones, high-relief topography is associated with sustained volcanism parallel to the plate margin. However, the relationship between magmatism and mountain building in arcs is poorly understood. Here, we study patterns of surface deformation and correlated fluvial knickpoints in the Columbia River Gorge to link long-term magmatism to the uplift and ensuing topographic development
Impacts of a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake on water levels and wetlands of the lower Columbia River and Estuary
Age of the late Holocene Bonneville landslide and submerged forest of the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon and Washington, USA, by radiocarbon dating
Major reorganization of the Snake River modulated by passage of the Yellowstone Hotspot
Historical and paleoflood analyses for probabilistic flood-hazard assessments—Approaches and review guidelines
Arc versus river: The geology of the Columbia River Gorge
Improving flood-frequency analysis with a 4,000-year record of flooding on the Tennessee River near Chattanooga, Tennessee
Glacier-related outburst floods
Eroding Cascadia— Sediment and solute transport and landscape denudation in western Oregon and northwestern California
Outburst floods
Diverse cataclysmic floods from Pleistocene glacial Lake Missoula
Science and Products
Pacific Northwest Geologic Mapping: Northern Pacific Border, Cascades and Columbia
Geomorphology of the Sprague River Basin
Dam removal: synthesis of ecological and physical responses
Quinault Indian Reservation
Geospatial database for the geomorphic map of the Umatilla River corridor, Oregon
Orthophotograph of the Columbia River between Portland and The Dalles, Oregon, acquired in 1935
High-Resolution Aeromagnetic Survey Over Cascade Locks, Oregon, and Surrounding Areas
Field, Geochemical, Geochronological, and Magnetic Data from a Pliocene basalt flow along the Deschutes River in north-central Oregon
Geomorphic map of the Umatilla River corridor, Oregon
Geologic map of the greater Portland metropolitan area and surrounding region, Oregon and Washington
Geologic map of the Vancouver and Orchards quadrangles and parts of the Portland and Mount Tabor quadrangles, Clark County, Washington, and Multnomah County, Oregon
Geologic map of the Washougal quadrangle, Clark County, Washington, and Multnomah County, Oregon
Geologic map of the Camas Quadrangle, Clark County, Washington, and Multnomah County, Oregon
The Columbia River flowing through the Hanford reach of the arid Columbia River basin, eastern Washington. This reach is one of the few undammed segments of the Columbia River within the United States. Photograph taken from the White Bluffs, composed of sediment deposited in late Miocene and Pliocene Lake Ringold which occupied the Pasco Basin.
The Columbia River flowing through the Hanford reach of the arid Columbia River basin, eastern Washington. This reach is one of the few undammed segments of the Columbia River within the United States. Photograph taken from the White Bluffs, composed of sediment deposited in late Miocene and Pliocene Lake Ringold which occupied the Pasco Basin.
A panoramic view of the Columbia River and Miller Island near the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The island and cliff walls on both sides of the Columbia River are composed of stacked lava flows of the Columbia River Basalt Group.
A panoramic view of the Columbia River and Miller Island near the eastern end of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. The island and cliff walls on both sides of the Columbia River are composed of stacked lava flows of the Columbia River Basalt Group.
A view east from Munra Point, Oregon showing Bonneville Dam, the Bonneville landslide, and snowy Mount Adams in the hazy distance.
A view east from Munra Point, Oregon showing Bonneville Dam, the Bonneville landslide, and snowy Mount Adams in the hazy distance.
A view west of the western Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area from near Cascade Locks, Oregon. The toe of the Bonneville landslide is on the right, which blocked the Columbia River about 500 years ago.
A view west of the western Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area from near Cascade Locks, Oregon. The toe of the Bonneville landslide is on the right, which blocked the Columbia River about 500 years ago.
Freshwater tidal marsh of the Columbia River estuary, Cathlamet Bay in foreground, uplifted coastal ranges of the Cascadia forearc of Washington in background.
Freshwater tidal marsh of the Columbia River estuary, Cathlamet Bay in foreground, uplifted coastal ranges of the Cascadia forearc of Washington in background.
USGS scientists sampled sediment transport during (and after) the breaching of the Marmot Dam on the Sandy River, OR.
USGS scientists sampled sediment transport during (and after) the breaching of the Marmot Dam on the Sandy River, OR.
A far-traveled basalt lava flow in north-central Oregon, USA
The magmatic origen of the Columbia River Gorge, USA
Along subduction zones, high-relief topography is associated with sustained volcanism parallel to the plate margin. However, the relationship between magmatism and mountain building in arcs is poorly understood. Here, we study patterns of surface deformation and correlated fluvial knickpoints in the Columbia River Gorge to link long-term magmatism to the uplift and ensuing topographic development
Impacts of a Cascadia subduction zone earthquake on water levels and wetlands of the lower Columbia River and Estuary
Age of the late Holocene Bonneville landslide and submerged forest of the Columbia River Gorge, Oregon and Washington, USA, by radiocarbon dating
Major reorganization of the Snake River modulated by passage of the Yellowstone Hotspot
Historical and paleoflood analyses for probabilistic flood-hazard assessments—Approaches and review guidelines
Arc versus river: The geology of the Columbia River Gorge
Improving flood-frequency analysis with a 4,000-year record of flooding on the Tennessee River near Chattanooga, Tennessee
Glacier-related outburst floods
Eroding Cascadia— Sediment and solute transport and landscape denudation in western Oregon and northwestern California
Outburst floods
Diverse cataclysmic floods from Pleistocene glacial Lake Missoula
*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