Tillamook Head facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tillamook Head |
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Tillamook Head, from Seaside, Oregon looking south
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 Tillamook Head
Location in Oregon
Tillamook Head
Location in the United States
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| Location | Clatsop County, Oregon, United States |
| Nearest city | Seaside, Oregon |
| Website | Tillamook Head |
Tillamook Head is a tall, rocky cliff on the Pacific coast in northwest Oregon, United States. It is located in west-central Clatsop County, about 5 miles (8 km) southwest of Seaside. This amazing spot is about 1,200 feet (366 meters) high and is covered with Sitka spruce trees. You can find Tillamook Head inside Ecola State Park, a beautiful place to explore nature.
The name "Tillamook Head" comes from the Tillamook people. They were a Native American tribe who spoke a Salishan language. They lived along the coast south of this headland in the 1800s.
In 1806, Captain William Clark and 12 members of the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition explored this area. They hiked over Tillamook Head and even found a beached whale! This was an important discovery for them during their journey.
How Tillamook Head Was Formed
Tillamook Head has a very cool geological story! It is made from ancient lava that flowed about 15 million years ago. This lava, called Columbia River basalt, came from an area near what is now Idaho.
The lava traveled a long way, flowing down the Columbia River Gorge. It then spread out along the Oregon Coast, reaching Tillamook Head. As the lava cooled, it formed a thick layer of rock, about 600 feet (183 meters) deep. This rock layer is what we see today as Tillamook Head.
