Welcome to the mesmerizing world of the Neskowin Ghost Forest. This remarkable site is located on the picturesque Oregon coast, nestled within the Neskowin Beach State Recreation Site near Proposal Rock. As we begin our journey through time and nature, youll notice the ancient stumps rising out of the sand and water at the beach, providing a fascinating window into the past.

These stumps are remnants of a Sitka spruce forest that once thrived here until an extraordinary event occurred. Scientists believe this ghost forest was formed in the 1700s during a catastrophic earthquake along the Oregon coastline, which submerged an entire forest of Sitka spruce trees beneath the waves. This powerful natural disaster likely resulted from the Cascadia subduction zone, where tectonic plates meet and create immense stress that occasionally leads to large-scale seismic events.

These stumps date back approximately 2000 years, making them younger than most other ghost forests in the area. The exact circumstances that led to their formation are still being studied, but its believed that an earthquake abruptly lowered these trees, which were then covered by mud or debris from a landslide or tsunami.

As we walk along the beach, take a moment to appreciate the beauty and resilience of this unique historical landscape. The stumps you see before you are silent witnesses to the forces that have shaped our world over time – both above ground and beneath the waves. They serve as a powerful reminder of the immense power nature holds and the importance of understanding and respecting Earths natural processes.

To access the Neskowin Ghost Forest, all you need to do is take a five-minute walk from the public parking lot located nearby. As you make your way along the shoreline, be sure to keep an eye out for other intriguing sights and sounds that might catch your attention – perhaps a curious seabird or the distant crash of waves against Proposal Rock.

So now, as we stand amidst these ancient relics, let your imagination wander through time, envisioning what this place may have looked like centuries ago when it was home to a thriving forest ecosystem. Feel the weight of history beneath your feet and marvel at the enduring legacy of nature that surrounds us here at the Neskowin Ghost Forest.

And there you have it – a complete, engaging audio tour segment about this captivating historical landmark. I hope you enjoyed our journey through time and nature as much as I did narrating it!