Nature
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Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area in Pacific City is a prominent Oregon coast headland along the Three Capes Scenic Route, valued for broad views, striking sandstone landforms, and an unusually clear display of coastal erosion. Unlike much of the coast, Cape Kiwanda is formed mainly from Astoria Formation sandstone and was once connected to Chief Kiwanda Rock, an offshore basalt sea stack. Over time, erosion separated the harder basalt from the softer headland, creating tide pools, arches, chasms, inlets, and retreating cliffs. Remnants of large Holocene dunes still cover the highest ground, and the landscape remains active and unstable, as shown by the destruction of the Duckbill in 2016.
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Pacific City, Oregon · United States
