Scotia Bluffs
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| Scotia Bluffs | |
|---|---|
 Upper portion of Scotia Bluffs viewed from Rio Dell | |
| Highest point | |
| Prominence | 550 ft (170 m) |
| Coordinates | 40°30′36″N 124°05′55″W / 40.51000°N 124.09861°W |
| Geography | |
 | |
| Location | Humboldt County, California |
| Topo map | USGS Hydesville |
Scotia Bluffs form a 2-mile (3-kilometer) series of gray sandstone cliffs along the north bank of the Eel River near Rio Dell, California.
The course of the lower Eel River changes from northeasterly to westerly as it encounters the resistant Rio Dell Formation of fossiliferous upper Pliocene marine sandstone 15 miles (24 kilometers) inland from the Pacific Ocean. River turbulence has created deep pools beneath steep sandstone cliffs on the northeasterly bank. Tributary streams, including Nanning Creek, cut steep, narrow canyons through the cliffs. The southwesterly bank of the river is an alluvial plain extending to the estuary. The community of Rio Dell occupies the bank opposite the cliffs.[1] The cliffs expose abundant remains of ancient clams and sand dollars.[2]