West Seattle scene: Low tide from a high-flying perspective

(Click image to open a larger view)
With one more low-low tide coming up this afternoon (-1.7 at 3:12 pm), we’re sharing this scene from the month’s lowest low tide back on Sunday, photographed by Long Bach Nguyen over Alki Point and Constellation Park, as well as the north end of Beach Drive. He says it wasn’t the low tide that caught his eye so much as the geologic features of the area – explained here.

ADDED 1:53 PM: Thanks to Rob for pointing out in a Facebook comment that we’ll see even lower low tides on Memorial Day weekend – minus 3 feet, and then some, each afternoon from Saturday 5/25 through Monday 5/27.

Pigeon Point April 30, 2013 (12:38 pm)

Long Bach Nguyen’s photos are a real treat. We are so lucky to see them – thanks!

Peter April 30, 2013 (12:54 pm)

Now that’s Tertiary!

Debbie Wood April 30, 2013 (12:54 pm)

I love this beach at low tide. Wish I was closer I remember our Biology 3 class at WSHS met here for first period in my senior year many years ago because the variety of sealife clinging to the jetty rocks was amazing!

Trileigh April 30, 2013 (1:00 pm)

For those who don’t want to read the technical info about the geology: The big Seattle Fault runs east-west through here, continuing under Puget Sound across Bainbridge Island. Pressure along the fault has pushed old sediments (now sedimentary rocks) into a curve that you can see at low tide.
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Those sediments were originally deposited over 20 million years ago! In other places around Seattle, away from the fault, they’re buried under thick glacial sediments, so we don’t see them very often. Go take a closer look while you can!
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Thanks so much to Long Bach Nguyen for a terrific geo-photo.

Mike April 30, 2013 (1:06 pm)

Very cool!

sardine April 30, 2013 (1:27 pm)

West Seattle rocks.

West Seattle Hipster April 30, 2013 (4:53 pm)

Great photo

Alki Beach Guy April 30, 2013 (9:10 pm)

Trileigh,

Maybe you can answer a question I have. Do you know why Alki is a sandy beach? I have tried to find an answer but have not had luck. Was the sand trucked in, or is it somehow a natural occurrence??? It seems to be pretty rare to find a sandy beach on the Puget Sound. Thanks