The Earthquake of 1964 was very destructive to Southcentral Alaska. The epicenter of the quake was at the bottom of the ocean in the 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 sea water, killing the trees. This haunting ghost forest 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.

AdventuresWithRocks™ | Flickr

The Good Friday earthquake, occurred at 5:36 PM Alaska time on Good Friday, March 27, 1964.

Flickr/MadCityCat

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.

chuck t | Flickr

The earthquake caused fissures in the ground, collapsed structures, and started tsunamis that resulted in an estimate of 139 human deaths across southcentral Alaska.

Larry Ewing | Flickr

The Turnagain Arm runs right along the roadway, a piece of the ocean that cuts into the Chugach mountains.

AdventuresWithRocks™ | Flickr

The Earthquake caused the ground to drop between 5-10 feet all across the area and ocean water flooded in.

Travis | Flickr

As this area is so close to sea level, salty ocean water flooded the flatlands and kill the trees where they stood.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center | TripAdvisor

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.

sandwich | Flickr

The Girdwood Ghost Forest is a haunting reminder of the 1964 Earthquake and a fascinating place to visit in Alaska.

Jean-François Chénier | Flickr

Have you seen the Girdwood Ghost Forest? Tell us about it in the comments below.

AdventuresWithRocks™ | Flickr

Flickr/MadCityCat

chuck t | Flickr

Larry Ewing | Flickr

Travis | Flickr

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center | TripAdvisor

sandwich | Flickr

Jean-François Chénier | Flickr

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.