Gold Beach in Curry County, Oregon — The American West (Northwest)
Oregon Geology: Cape Sebastian
June 27, 2026
1. Oregon Geology: Cape Sebastian Marker
Inscription.
Oregon Geology: Cape Sebastian. . Native people call this cape Daa-ghvsh-ne. European explorers noted the landmark because of its elevation rising 668 feet above the Pacific Ocean; the name Cape San Sebastian was later given in 1603 by Spanish explorer Sabastian Vizciano. In the 1960s, the seventy-pound, fossilized remains of a duck-billed hadrosaur were discovered in the sandstone that forms the cape. The sandstone and fossil share a complex geologic history. During the Late Cretaceous period (84 to 72 million years ago) the creature fell into a river or was swept out to sea in what is now northwestern Mexico. Together the sandstone and fossil moved northward along major crustal faults to their present location on the Oregon Coast. In 1994, the hadrosaur became the first dinosaur fossil excavated in Oregon.
Native people call this cape Daa-ghvsh-ne. European
explorers noted the landmark because of its elevation rising 668 feet above the Pacific Ocean; the name Cape San Sebastian was later given in 1603 by Spanish
explorer Sabastian Vizciano. In the 1960s, the seventy-pound, fossilized remains of a duck-billed hadrosaur were discovered in the sandstone that forms
the cape. The sandstone and fossil share a complex
geologic history. During the Late Cretaceous period (84 to
72 million years ago) the creature fell into a river or was swept out to sea in what is now northwestern Mexico. Together the sandstone and fossil moved northward along major crustal faults to their present location on the
Oregon Coast. In 1994, the hadrosaur became the first dinosaur fossil excavated in Oregon.
Location. 42° 20.048′ N, 124° 25.091′ W. Marker is in Gold Beach, Oregon, in Curry County. It is on Oregon Coast Highway, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gold Beach OR 97444, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Oregon and specifically on the Oregon Coast. It is also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, in the Cascade Range, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow
Another marker is no longer nearby. Conflict at Pistol River (was approx. 3.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).
Credits. This page was last revised on July 19, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2026. This page has been viewed 20 times since then. Photo1. submitted on June 27, 2026. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
