Geomorphology of coastal Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park's coastal region, surveyed from 2012 to 2016, reveals a dynamic and unique geomorphology shaped by the interplay of glaciation, tectonic activity, and coastal processes. The study identified 802 distinct landforms, including rare tombolos, numerous sea stacks, and 74 sand beaches, with glacial landforms such as moraines being the most extensive. Active tectonics and high wave energy have influenced this coastline, resulting in the absence of long barrier islands or deltas typically found elsewhere. The coast is divided into three distinct sections, each characterized by unique foreshore landforms associated with backshore and tectonic conditions. Glacial deposits are prevalent in the northernmost section, while the central section features intensely weathered bedrock prone to slumping, and the southern section dominates with long sandy beaches. Coastal bluffs, composed of 37% bedrock and 41% glacial drift, exhibit significant weathering and landslides due to wave undercutting and high rainfall. The study highlights the complex interaction of geological processes that have shaped this unique coastal landscape.

Riedel, J., Sarrantonio, S., & Dorsch, S. (2021). Geomorphology of coastal Olympic National Park (, Ed.). National Park Service. https://doi.org/10.36967/nrr-2286564