PACIFIC CITY, Ore — Another large sinkhole has formed at Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area on the Oregon coast. It's the second one to appear on the headland in the span of about four months.
The new sinkhole is located in the lower northeast corner of the dune and sits only a few inches away from the first one, which visitors had reported to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department in January 2023. The first sinkhole initially measured 20-feet wide by 15-feet deep. The second sinkhole measures about 10-feet wide by 30-feet deep and appears to be more shallow.
"After the winter, some places have changed. The sand has shifted, the rocks have moved," said Park Ranger Supervisor Travis Korbe. "Anywhere on the Oregon coast really ... things can shift."
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is working with a geologist to try to determine what caused the sinkholes. They said soil appears to be falling into large, unstable voids beneath the cliff caused by strong ocean waves.
The latest sinkhole is situated in an area that park staff had already blocked off to visitors as a safety precaution. On Tuesday, park staff added additional tape to section off a larger area near the dune. Visitors should be aware of their surroundings and stay away from the cliff edges.
PHOTOS: Second sinkhole at Cape Kiwanda
"I've been out here for a long time and I've never seen a sinkhole develop like this out here, but it has. It's just part of the ever-changing landscape that makes it so exciting to live and work out here on the Oregon coast," Korbe said.
The second sinkhole formed sometime between 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Monday when a photo of the second sinkhole was posted on social media, according to park staff. John Yoswick shared a photo showing the two large sinkholes to a public Facebook group with the caption, "One sinkhole as become two."
Cape Kiwanda State Natural Area is made up of sandstone that is naturally much more fragile compared to harder rock, like basalt, making it susceptible to erosion and other sudden changes.
"We ask that visitors respect this barrier and all park safety barriers and that they keep pets on leashes and children away from the edges. We are monitoring the site daily, but it’s a dynamic environment. The soft sandstone cliffs can give way without warning, which is why it’s important to respect safety fences everywhere in the park,” said Korbe.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will continue to monitor the situation. They advice people to pay special attention as sinkholes could change at any moment and others could appear. If anyone sees anything alarming they should leave the area and report it to Cape Lookout State Park staff at 503-842-4981.