Chignik lies approximately 40 miles east of the volcano Mt. Veniaminof. The area is characterized by long mountain slopes containing many steams. The land is mantled with thick deposits of volcanic ash and cinders. Depressions in the rolling slopes may contain muskeg. Brown to tan sandstone with seams of coal and conglomerate is dominate geologic formation.

Cultivation and construction are limited by the steep topography. Only 5% of the area is level. Soils on these slopes are well-drained loamy volcanic ash overlying sandy and cindery ash. These level areas contain poorly drained fibrous organic soils. A thin layer of volcanic ash is common within the top five feet of soil mantel.

Coastal flooding is predicted to occur once in 40 to 60 years. Permafrost is not a problem.

The ground and soil within the community mostly consists of marshy wetlands, pebble rock and sand. The ocean beach is rock, pebble and sand. Banks are of mud, rock and sand mixture. A creek runs through the town site, which has been diverted and the road that goes through town is on top of a creek bed. Mountain run off of numerous waterfalls run on top of roads after heavy rains.

The original old village was built up on the hill across from Indian Creek. The cannery was built on the beach. As the population grew houses were built on top of stretches of land between creeks and wetlands.

Photo By: TJ Aklin
Waterfall above Airport Road