15-foot deep sinkhole forms along Oregon coast cliffside, photos show. ‘Portal in time’
A 15-foot deep sinkhole began forming along a cliffside at the Oregon coast, park officials said.
The sinkhole was first reported on Sunday, Jan. 22, at the Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area near Pacific City, Oregon State Parks said in a Facebook post that began with “Oregon’s own portal in time, à la #OuterRange?” “Outer Range” is a science fiction TV series on Amazon Prime’s streaming service.
The hole is 20 feet wide and 15 feet deep. It formed at the “lower northwest corner of the dune,” officials said.
Park officials put caution tape around the sinkhole to keep visitors from getting to close. Cape Kiwanda is a “sandstone outcropping” so it’s weaker than basalt rock, and it “could change at any moment,” officials said.
“The cape is a dynamic environment. Please be aware of your surroundings, stay clear of any dangerous areas, including this one,” park manager Jason Elkins said in the post.
Park officials warned the public to watch their surroundings, keep pets on leashes, children away and to watch for other forming sinkholes.
“Obviously people are curious and may want to see if for themselves,” Elkins said. “But we ask that you respect the barriers that are in place and observe from a distance.”
Anything concerning can be reported to Cape Lookout State Park staff at 503-842-4981.
Pacific City is about 100 miles southwest of Portland.
This story was originally published January 24, 2023 at 6:11 PM with the headline "15-foot deep sinkhole forms along Oregon coast cliffside, photos show. ‘Portal in time’."
