Mark Ferns,
Regional Geologist, Eastern Oregon Section Leader
Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries, Baker City Field Office
Baker County Courthouse
1995 3rd Street, Ste. 130
Baker City, OR 97814
Phone: (541) 523-3133

Mark.Ferns@dogami.state.or.us

Projects

       -  Lower Crooked River mapping
       -  Digital Map Compilation
       -  Umatilla River Basin study

Recent Projects:

       -  Upper Grande Ronde Basin study


Background Information

1979-present, DOGAMI staff geologist, eastern Oregon Field Office, Baker City, Oregon
2004-present, courtesy appointment as Field Geologist at Eastern Oregon University
1978 - Occidental Petroleum, Geothermal program
1974-1979 University of Oregon, Bachelor of Science 1976, Masters of Science, 1979
1969-1972 United States Army
1966-1968, 1972-1975 Undergraduate work at Southern Oregon College

Registered Geologist G1554
Past member of the SE Oregon Resource Advisory Council, Hells Canyon Natural Resource Advisory Council, and Northwest Mining Association


Research Interests

       -  Development and presentation of interactive digital geologic reports.
       -  Evolution of Northwest volcanic provinces.
       -  Spatial and temporal distribution of very large rhyolite volcanic centers.
       -  Volcanogenic mineralization.
       -  Pre-Tertiary accretionary processes in Oregon
       -  Geologic controls on groundwater and other fluid pathways
       -  Plant community and rock type associations
       -  Post-fire erosion processes
       -  Low impact recreational gold mining
       -  History of mining and mineral exploration in Oregon


Recent Publications and Conference Presentations

Abstracts:

Ferns, M.L., McConnell, V.S., and Madin, I.P., 2004, Columbia River Basalt Aquifer characteristics revealed by StateMap mapping in Oregon’s Umatilla Basin, [abs], Geological Society of America, Cordilleran Section, 100th annual meeting, Abstracts with Programs 36 (4), p. 22.

Ferns, M.L., McConnell, V.S., and Madin, I.P., 2003, Transition from tholeiitic flood basalt magmatism to calc-alkaline and alkaline volcanism along an eruptive axis coincident with the east margin of the Grande Ronde Valley, northeastern Oregon: Geological Society of America, Annual Meeting, [abs], Abstracts with Programs 35 (6), p. 549.

Ferns, M.L., 2003, Tower Mountain – Geologic Lessons Learned from an Opportunistic Fire, Geological Society of America Meeting, Wildland Fire Impacts on Watersheds. [abs].

Ferns, M.L. 2002, Tower Mountain; a Northeast Oregon late Oligocene caldera: Geological Society of America, Cordilleran Section, 98th annual meeting, [abs], Abstracts with Programs 34 (5), p. 83.

Ferns, M.L., Lite, K.E., Jr., and Clark, M.D., 1996, Lithologic controls on groundwater discharge to the Deschutes River between Lower Bridge and Lake Billy Chinook, central Oregon;, Geological Society of America, Cordilleran Section, [abs], 92nd annual meeting; abstracts with programs, 28 (5), p. 65,

Ferns, M.L., Cummings, M.L., and Evans, J.G., 1993, Spatial and temporal relationships between calc-alkaline volcanism and late Miocene mineralization in the Ore-Ida Graben, Geological Society of America, 89th annual Cordilleran Section meeting and 46th annual Rocky Mountain Section meeting, [abs], Abstracts with Programs 25 (5), p. 37.

Ferns, M.L., Brooks, H.C., and Evans, J.G., 1992, Volcanism in the Boise 2 degree sheet, Geological Society of America, Cordilleran Section, 88th annual meeting, [abs], Abstracts with Programs 24 (5), p. 23,

Ferns, M.L. and Brooks, H.C., 1983, Serpentinite-matrix melanges in parts of the Blue Mountains of northeast Oregon: Geological Society of America, Cordilleran Section, 79th annual meeting, [abs], Abstracts with Programs v. 5 no. 5, p. 371.

Ferns, M.L. and Brooks, H. C., 1981, Geology and mineralization of the Bourne and Mt. Ireland quadrangles, northeastern Oregon: Proceedings of the 39th annual meeting of the Oregon Academy of Science, [abs], abstracts with programs, v. 39, p. 23.

Ferns, M.L.,and Kays, M.A., 1978, Contrasting metamorphic terrains of Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon-California Proceedings of the 36th annual meeting of the Oregon Academy of Science, 14, [abs], p. 148-149.

Field Trip Guides:

Streck, M., and Ferns, M. L., 2004, The Rattlesnake tuff and other Miocene silicic volcanism in eastern Oregon, in Haller, K.M. and Woods, S.H., eds., Geological Field Trips in southern Idaho, Eastern Oregon, and northern Nevada: Boise, ID., Department of Geosciences, Boise State University, p. 2-17.

Ferns, M.L., McConnell, V.S., and Ely, Kate, 2004, Field trip guide to the Geology of the Umatilla River basin, Oregon; Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Open-File Report O-04-23, CD.

McConnell, V.S. and Ferns, M.L., 2004, Upper Grande Ronde River Basin Workshop field trip guide, Sept. 5, & 6, 2001, Union County Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Open-File Report O-04-10, CD.

Ferns, M.L., 1997, Field trip guide to the eastern margin of the Oregon-Idaho graben and the middle Miocene calderas of the Lake Owyhee Volcanic Field: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Oregon Geology, v. 59, no. 1, p. 9 – 20.

Ferns, M.L., 1991, Stratigraphy of parts of the Boise 2 degree Quadrangle, Malheur County, Oregon: in Buffa, R.H. and Coyner, A.R., ed.: Geology and ore deposits of the Great Basin; Great Basin symposium on Geology and ore deposits of the Great Basin: Field trip guidebook, p. 706-712.

Ferns, M.L., 1991, Stratigraphy of the Grassy Mountain area and field guide to the Grassy Mountain and Shell Rock Butte gold prospects, Malheur County, Oregon; Buffa, Ruth H. (editor), Coyner, Alan R. (editor), Geology and ore deposits of the Great Basin; field trip guidebook compendium, p. 696-705.

Kays, M. A. and Ferns, M. L., 1980, Geologic field trip guide through the North-central Klamath Mountains: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Oregon Geology, v. 42, no. 2, p. 23-35.

Partial list of DOGAMI Publications:

Kays, M.A., Ferns, M.L. and Beskow, L., 1977, Complementary meta-gabbros and peridotites in the northern Klamath Mountains, U.S.A: in .Dick, H.J.B. (ed.), Magma genesis; proceedings of the American Geophysical Union Chapman conference on partial melting in the Earth's upper mantle: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Bulletin 96, p. 91-107.

Brooks, H.C. and Ferns, M.L., 1979, Geologic map of the Bull Run Rock quadrangle, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Open-file Report O-79-6.

Brooks, H.C., Ferns, M.L., Nusbaum, R.W., and, Kovich, P.M., 1979, Geologic map of the Rastus Mountain quadrangle, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Open-file Report O-79-7.

Brooks, H.C., Ferns, M.L., Coward, R.I., Paul, E.K., and Nunlist, M., 1982, Geology and gold deposits map of the Bourne quadrangle, Baker and Grant counties, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geologic Map Series GMS-19.

Ferns, M.L., Brooks, H.C., and Ducette, J., 1982, Geology and mineral resources map of the Mt Ireland quadrangle, Baker and Grant counties, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geologic Map Series GMS-22.

Brooks H.C., Ferns, M.L., and Mullen, E.D., 1982, Geology and gold deposits map of the Granite quadrangle, Grant County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geologic Map Series GMS-25.

Ferns, M.L., Brooks, H.C., and Avery, D.G., 1983, Geology and gold deposits of the Greenhorn quadrangle, Baker and Grant counties, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geologic Map Series GMS-28.

Brooks, H.C., Ferns, M.L., Wheeler, G.R., and Avery, D.G., 1983, Geology and gold deposits map of the NE quarter of the Bates 15’ quadrangle, Baker and Grant counties, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geologic Map Series GMS-29.

Ferns, M.L., Brooks, H.C., and Wheeler, G.R., 1984, Geology and gold deposits of the NW quarter of the Bates 15’ quadrangle, Grant County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geologic Map Series GMS-31.

Brooks, H.C., Ferns, M.L., and Avery, D.G., 1984, Geology and gold deposits map of the SW quarter of the Bates 15’ quadrangle, Baker and Grant counties, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geologic Map Series GMS-35.

Ferns, M.L. and Huber, D.F., 1985, Mineral resources map of Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geologic Map Series GMS-36, scale 1:500,000.

Ferns, M.L., Brooks, H.C., Avery, D.G., and Blome, C.D., 1987, Geology and gold deposits of the Elkhorn Peak quadrangle, Baker County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geologic Map Series GMS-41.

Priest, G.R., Woller, N.M., and Ferns, M.L., 1987, Geologic map of the Breitenbush River area, Linn and Marion counties, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geologic Map Series GMS-46.

Black, G.L., Woller, N.M., and Ferns, M.L., 1987, Geologic map of the Crescent Mountain area, Linn County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geologic Map Series GMS-47.

Ferns, M.L. and Ramp, L. 1988, Investigations of Talc in Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Special Paper 18, 52 p.

Ferns, M.L., 1988, Geology and mineral resources map of the Owyhee Ridge quadrangle, Malheur County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series, GMS-53.

Ferns, M.L., 1989, Geology and mineral resources of the Graveyard Point quadrangle, Malheur County, Oregon, and Owyhee County, Idaho; Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series, GMS-54.

Ferns, M.L.,1989, Geology and mineral resources map of the Owyhee Dam quadrangle, Malheur County, Oregon; Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series, GMS-55.

Ferns, M.L.,1989, Geology and mineral resources map of the Adrian quadrangle, Malheur County, Oregon, and Canyon and Owyhee Counties, Idaho; Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series, GMS-56.

Ferns, M. L., and Ramp, Len, 1989, Geology and mineral resources map of the Grassy Mountain quadrangle, Malheur County, Oregon; Oregon Department of Geology and Minerals Industries Geological Map Series, GMS-57.

Ramp, Len, and Ferns, M.L., 1989, Geology and mineral resources map of the Double Mountain quadrangle, Malheur County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series GMS-58.

Ferns, M. L., and Urbanczyk, Kevin M., 1990, Geology and mineral resources map of the Mitchell Butte quadrangle, Malheur County, Oregon; Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series, GMS-61.

Ferns, M. L., and Cummings, M. L., 1992, Geology and Mineral Resources Map of the Elbow Quadrangle, Malheur County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series GMS-62.

Ferns, M. L., and O'Brien, J. P., 1992, Geology and Mineral Resources Map of the Harper Quadrangle, Malheur County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series GMS-69.

Ferns, M. L., and O'Brien, J. P., 1992, Geology and Mineral Resources Map of the Namorf Quadrangle, Malheur County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series GMS-74.

Ferns, M. L., Brooks, H. C., Evans, J. G., and Cummings, M. L., 1993, Geologic Map of the Vale 1:100.000 Quadrangle, Malheur County, Oregon and Owyhee County, Idaho: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series GMS-77.

Ferns, M. L., Cummings, M. L., and Evans, J. G., 1993, Geologic Map of the Mahogany Mountain 1:100,000 Quadrangle, Malheur County, Oregon and Owyhee County, Idaho: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series GMS-78.

Taylor, E.M. and Ferns, M.L., 1994, Geologic map of the Tumalo Dam quadrangle, Deschutes County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series GMS-81.

Ferns, M.L., and Taubeneck, W.H., 1994, Geology and mineral resources map of the Limber Jim Creek quadrangle, Union County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series, GMS-82.

Taylor, E.M. and Ferns, M.L., 1995, Geologic map of the Three Creek Butte quadrangle, Deschutes County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series GMS-87.

Ferns, M.L., Stensland, D.A., and Smith,G.A., 1996, Geologic map of the Steelhead Falls quadrangle, Deschutes and Jefferson counties, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series, GMS-101.

Ferns, M.L. and Madin, I.P., 1997, Geologic map of the Summerville quadrangle, Union County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series GMS-111.

Ferns, M.L., 1998, Geologic map of the Fly Valley quadrangle, Union County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series GMS-113.

Ferns, M.L., Madin, I.P., and Taubeneck, W.H., 2001, Reconnaissance Geologic Map of the La Grande 30’ x 60’ quadrangle, Baker, Grant, Umatilla, and Union counties, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Reconnaissance Map Series RMS-1.

Van Tassell, J., Ferns, M.L., McConnell, V.S. and Smith, G.R., 2001, The mid-Pliocene Imbler fish fossils, Grande Ronde Valley, Union County, Oregon, and the connection between Lake Idaho and the Columbia River, Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Oregon Geology v. 63 no. 3, p. 77-84, 89-96.

Ferns, M.L., Madin, I.P., and McConnell, V.S., 2002, Geology of the surface and subsurface of the southern Grande Ronde Valley and lower Catherine Creek drainage, Union County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Open-File Report O-02-02.

Ferns, M.L., Madin, I.P., McConnell, V.S., 2002, Geologic map of the Imbler quadrangle, Union County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series GMS-114.

McConnell, V.S., Betteridge, I., and Ferns, M.L., 2003, Geologic map of the Mt Fanny and Little Catherine Creek quadrangles, Union and Wallowa counties, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Geological Map Series GMS-115.

Ferns, M.L. and McConnell, V.S., 2005, Geoanalytical Information Layer for Oregon (GILO), release 1.

Outside Publications:

Kays, M. A., Ferns, M.L., and Brooks, H.C., 1986, Metamorphism of Triassic-Paleozoic belt rocks; a guide to field and petrologic relations in the oceanic melange, Klamath and Blue mountains, California and Oregon: in Ernst, W.G. (ed.), Metamorphism and crustal evolution of the Western United States, Rubey Volume, vol. 7, p. 1098-1142.

Ferns, M.L., and Brooks, H.C., 1995, The Bourne and Greenhorn subterranes of the Baker terrane, northeastern Oregon: Implications for the evolution of the Blue Mountains island-arc system in Vallier, T.L. and Brooks, H.C., ed., Geology of the Blue Mountains Region of Oregon, Idaho, and Washington: Petrology and Tectonic Evolution of Pre-Tertiary Rocks of the Blue Mountains Region: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1438, pp. 331-358.

Cummings, M.L., Evans, J.G., Ferns, M.L., and Lees, K.R., 2000, Stratigraphic and structural evolution of the middle Miocene syn-volcanic Oregon-Idaho graben: Geological Society of America bulletin, v. 112, p. 668-682.

Sherrod, D.R, Taylor, E.M., Ferns, M.L., Scott, W., Conrey, R.G., and Smith, 2004, Geologic Map of the Bend 30 x 60 minute quadrangle: U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Investigations Map I-2683.

In Press or Preparation:

Ferns, M.L., McConnell, V.S., Madin, I.P., and Johnson, J.A., in press, Geology of the upper Grande Ronde River basin, Union County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries Bulletin.

Ferns, M.L., McConnell, V.S., and Madin, I.P., in review, Geology of the Umatilla River basin, Umatilla County, Oregon: Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries report.


Useful Links

Oregon Department of Water Resources water well information
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British Geological Survey
- how digital maps, reports, and applications are developed

Northwest Mining Association
- current issues affecting mining and mineral development, along with upcoming meetings and events