Lydia

Many of the trees you see in coastal swamps have been dated to the last
growing season of 1699, just before the 1700 Cascadia earthquake of January
26, 1700. (est.8.9 to 9.2 magnitude). The trees at the south end of Siletz
Bay, Oregon, and around Long Beach, Washington, were victims - with the land
shifting downward so the roots were now in salt water rather than the layer
of fresh water that had been previously surrounding the roots. This killed
the trees but left them standing in place.



At the same time, a giant landslide occurred in the Columbia Gorge at
Cascade Locks --- damming the river and creating the Indian legend of
"Bridge of the Gods". Lewis and Clark came through a century later and
talked about all the stumps in the mud in the area now covered by the water
behind Bonneville dam.



Over in Japan - the Orphan Tsunami occurred - a harbor wave not associated
with any earthquake. (see http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/pp1707/pp1707.pdf) (and
check pg 96)

There is a famous wood block print of this wave from japan.
http://www.busaccagallery.com/catalog.php?catid=122
<http://www.busaccagallery.com/catalog.php?catid=122&itemid=3862&page=0>
&itemid=3862&page=0



As for your trees in Rialto Beach - you'd have to have them cored to find
out their last growth year. Likely 1699.

Regards

Don






"From: Lydia Gaebe Bishop <lydiagaebe AT gmail.com>
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:01:31 -0800

Any geologists amongst the birders here in Tweeters?



While out on the coast my husband and I visited Rialto Beach where were

treated to the sight of a "Forest of Standing Driftwood." The tide was

VERY HIGH on Monday, so there wasn't much beach as the waves were crashing

and booming against the massive driftwood logs. Not far from where the

waves were crashing was a dead forest of standing snags with driftwood on

the ground.



Does anybody know how and when this part of the forest became swamped and

the trees died? The sight sure made for some great photo ops!



Bird content......at the Cape Alava trailhead I spied a small flock of

itsy-bitsy golden crown kinglets."