SPACEPHOTOS

Mt. Hood, Oregon and Mt. Adams, Washington, USA August 1997 The two most prominent features in this northeast looking view are the snow-capped summits of Mount Hood (OR) and Mount Adams (WA). At 11,239 feet (3426 meters) and 12325 feet (3757 meters), respectively, these two volcanoes are part of the north-trending Cascade Range. The Cascades provide a formidable meteorological barrier that dramatically reduces precipitation amounts on the leeward or eastern side of the mountains. This rain shadow effect limits farming on the eastern side of the mountains to plateaus and river valleys where adequate supplies of moisture are available. Notice that there are some clusters of cultivated fields in the Yakima and Columbia River Valleys. The Columbia River, (center of view) flows west through the Cascade Mountains. The river forms the boundary between the states of Oregon and Washington. Although not easy to recognize, the city of Portland (OR) can be located along the south side of the Columbia River near the west edge of the picture. South of Portland the fertile northern Willamette River Valley with its multitude of cultivated fields are visible (lighter colors intermixed with darker colors). Mt. St. Helens and its denuded, “blast” zone from the 1980 eruption are also discernible along the western edge of the image north of the Columbia River