The Earthquake of 1964 was very destructive to Southcentral Alaska. The epicenter of the quake was at the bottom of the ocean in Prince William Sound, and all of Southcentral Alaska was affected to varying degrees of severity. The earthquake dealt a serious blow to the shoreline of the Turnagain Arm. The whole area dropped several feet and flooded this coastal forest with seawater, killing the trees. This haunting ghost forest Alaska lies along the Seward Highway, a reminder of the catastrophe.
The Girdwood Ghost Forest lies along the Seward Highway at Mile 79, on your left heading south from Anchorage to Seward.
The Good Friday earthquake, occurred at 5:36 PM Alaska time on Good Friday, March 27, 1964.
The magnitude 9.2 megathrust earthquake lasted four minutes and thirty-eight seconds, the most powerful to date recorded in North American history, and the second most powerful recorded in the world.
The earthquake caused fissures in the ground, collapsed structures, and started tsunamis that resulted in an estimate of 139 human deaths across southcentral Alaska.
I can still see the old structures when I pass it on the Seward Highway.
The Turnagain Arm runs right along the roadway, a piece of the ocean that cuts into the Chugach mountains.
The Earthquake caused the ground to drop between 5-10 feet all across the area and ocean water flooded in.
As this area is so close to sea level, salty ocean water flooded the flatlands and kill the trees where they stood, creating almost a haunted forest in Alaska.
The remains of those trees whose roots were swamped with salt water still stand. There are signs with information about the ghost forest and the Earthquake by these ghost trees Alaska.
You can also pull over to get a better look at the old buildings, but I wouldn’t recommend exploring these structures on foot.
Instead, take in the gorgeous views surrounding this unique ecological phenomenon. It makes for a stunning photo, no matter the time or season!
The Girdwood Ghost Forest is a haunting reminder of the 1964 Earthquake and a fascinating place to visit in Alaska.
Have you seen this ghost forest Alaska? Tell us about it in the comments below. And if you want to see more along the Seward Highway, check out these gorgeous scenic byways. And don’t forget your road trip snacks!
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