Ghost Forest

Learn about the history behind the area and enjoy watersports during your visit.

On January 26, 1700, a 9.0 earthquake struck the Washington coast. Following the Cascadia Fault, over six hundred miles worth of land was shifted. The shore of Copalis dropped six feet, instantly. The earthquake was so large that it sent a tsunami across the ocean over to Japan's shores, where it killed over 15,000 people. For a long time, nobody was sure why the tsunami hit or where it came from. Even on the Washington coast, people were unsure, as the natives that lived there passed their history orally. It wasn't until recently that Brian Atwater cleared the confusion and connected the pieces in his book, The Orphan Tsunami of 1700.

In the book, he explains how he uncovered the mystery behind the rogue tsunami. Atwater not only determined that an earthquake of this magnitude was scheduled to happen every few hundred years, but underneath the surface, ancient trees have been buried, pulled down through the sand. If you go there today, you'll be able to walk through the Ghost Forest and see first hand how this strange earthquake decimated the wildlife and natural ecosystem. You can also bring a canoe, kayak, or boat with you and enjoy the coastal shores.