Quileute Canyon facts for kids
Quileute Canyon (also known as Quillayute Canyon) is a huge underwater valley. It is located off the coast of Washington state in the United States. Think of it like a deep canyon on land, but completely submerged under the ocean!
Where is Quileute Canyon?
This amazing underwater canyon is found in the Pacific Ocean. It's just north of another canyon called Quinault Canyon.
Quileute Canyon is offshore from two towns in Washington: La Push and Forks. The Quillayute River flows into the Pacific Ocean nearby, on the land. You can also find Rialto Beach and the Quillayute Needles National Wildlife Refuge close by. The land where the Quileute Indian Reservation is located is also very near the coast here.
Exploring the Deep
Scientists are always exploring the ocean floor. As of September 2017, this area was still being studied. Researchers use special equipment to learn more about these deep-sea places. They want to understand what lives there and how these canyons were formed.
Amazing Ocean Life
The deep waters of Quileute Canyon are home to some incredible creatures. Explorers have found very large sponges living on the canyon walls. They have also discovered huge jellyfish floating through the water. These animals are adapted to life in the deep, dark ocean.
Other Canyons Nearby
The Pacific Ocean off the coast of Washington is full of these underwater valleys. Here are some other submarine canyons found nearby, listed from north to south:
- Clayoquot Canyon
- Father Charles Canyon
- Loudon Canyon
- Barkely Canyon
- Nitinat Canyon
- Juan de Fuca Canyon
- Quileute Canyon
- Quinault Canyon
- Grays Canyon
- Guide Canyon
- Willapa Canyon
- Astoria Canyon
