If you’ve walked the beaches in Warrenton and noticed the sand seems darker than what you’ll find farther south in places like Cannon Beach or Pacific City — you’re not imagining it!
The darker sand in Warrenton is due to a higher concentration of basalt and heavy mineral deposits. This area is geologically rich, shaped by ancient volcanic activity and the outflow of rivers like the mighty Columbia. Over thousands of years, erosion from volcanic rock upriver and along the coast carried darker minerals like magnetite and ilmenite into the sand. These minerals are heavier and tend to settle on flat, wide beaches like those in Warrenton, especially near the Columbia River mouth.
In contrast, beaches farther down the coast often have more light-colored quartz-based sand, shaped by different currents and less volcanic influence.
So, next time you’re walking Warrenton’s beaches, know you’re stepping on a unique mix of ancient geology — a reminder that every stretch of Oregon’s coastline has its own story to tell. 🌋🌊