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Ghost Forests Revealed Near Seal Rock in Newport

Article Image Dropping sand levels are exposing ancient trees in the Newport, Oregon area on the Central Oregon Coast. Just south of Newport, near Seal Rock, ancient stumps, estimated to be about 4000 years old, are becoming exposed. These "ghost forests" come from a stand of trees that were quickly buried in the sand protecting them from the decaying effects of oxygen.

Geologists have two main theories about this phenomenon. One theory shows the power of massive earthquakes in and around the Pacific Ocean that caused powerful tsunamis. In this scenario, the forest was part of land that was dropped abruptly by a severe earthquake that buried the trees under sand and seawater.

Conversely, theory two suggests the change was more gradual, with the landscape changing over a span of decades covering the trees with moving sand or mud.

However these ghost forests came to be, they are currently becoming visible as sand levels drop, and also making ideal conditions for agate hunters. Levels appear quite low at Moolack Beach just north of Newport. Look for the Curtis Street beach access about a mile north of Seal Rock to find these ancient treasures. Now is the time to explore because it could be several years before these ancient ghost forests and other treasures are again revealed.

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  • Published in: Online Extras Fall/Winter 2011
  • Click to see other items about: Newport
 
 
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