 Earthcache at Gulf State Park
A cache by GeorgiaTreasureQuester Hidden: 3/5/2009
Size:  (Not chosen) Difficulty:  Terrain:  (1 is easiest, 5 is hardest)
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People think of land as stable and unchanging. For the most part,
this can be considered true. Geological and tectonic processes such
as erosion and plate tectonic shifting are always changing our
landforms. However, these processes generally result in very slow
and gradual changes that may take hundreds to millions of years to
result in noticeable change.
Coasts are different. Coasts are not static. Actually coasts are
very dynamic landforms, changing shape and even location in
reaction to natural forces or the activities of human beings. This
earthcache will discuss these natural forces, but will refrain from
discussing the impact of humans. Needless to say the effect of
human activities can be (and have been) more detrimental to the
stability of coastal landforms than have natural forces.
Coasts are boundaries between water and land and are characterized
by the geologic nature of the land, which is fragile and ever
changing, and the power of the wind and water. Because of these
natural factors, coastal environments are constantly striving to
maintain equilibrium amongst opposing natural forces.
Winds, tides, storms and tectonic processes are all natural forces
that erode the coast. Winds create waves that drag on the shallow
ocean bottom and break onto the shore of the coast. If the waves
move toward the coastal land at an angle, the waves will create
currents that carry and relocate sediment along the shore. These
currents are a driving force of coastal movement. They are a major
reason of sand migration along coastal beaches. Natural tides and
undertow also move large amounts of sand offshore. Storms with
their high winds and large waves are a major cause of sediment
transport and beach erosion. Tectonic processes also result in
changes in sea level which can affect the coast. The earth is still
emerging from the last ice age and the sea level has been rising at
assorted rates for the past twenty-thousand years. These winds,
tides, storms and geologic processes are all natural forces that
can erode the coast.
The geological and natural forces have shaped the coast here at
Alabama’s Gulf State Park. The landform here is made up of a
coastal dune system which has four distinctive areas. These areas
are the swash, barrier area, primary dunes and secondary dunes.
These four areas work together to produce a highly effective
ecosystem that protects Alabama from storms. As the waves
constantly pound the beach at the swash area, new grains of sand
and small sea creatures are deposited. In this wet area, small
birds and crabs can often be seen feasting along the water’s
edge. As the tide goes out, the sand begins to dry and the wind
then blows the sand farther up the beach through the barrier area.
When natural or manmade objects are placed in the sand, the wind
blown sand begins to collect around them. Over time, this mound of
sand grows and begins to form primary dunes. Beach plants begin to
cover and stabilize the new dunes. These plants help to hold the
sand and protect the dunes from wind and erosion. As the dune
system matures from primary dunes to secondary dunes, vegetation
increases and supports a larger number of species and offers
valuable protection against storms and erosion.
Between the tides, wind, tectonic process and storms the coast is
constantly being eroded. Ironically, these same processes are also
constantly helping to rebuild the coast. Coastal lands and
sediments are in constant motion. Breaking waves move sand along
the coast which erodes sand in one area and moves it to another
area or an adjacent beach. Tidal cycles bring sand onto the beach
and then carry it back out into the surf. Storms cause serious
erosion in one area and leave thick washover deposits in a
different area.
As you can see, the coast is constantly in a struggle to maintain
equilibrium.
______________________________________________________________________
This earthcache brings you to Gulf State park. There is a small
gravel parking area very near the coordinates. Please park only in
marked parking areas. This is for your safety and the protection of
the dunes.
______________________________________________________________________
In order to log this earthcache as found, you will need to email to
me answers for the following questions.
1. At the above coordinates (near the corner of Perdido Beach
Blvd/Hwy 182 and State park Road 2) you will find a sign explaining
typical dune ecology. You already know that plants help to build
and maintain coastal dunes. What specific dune stabilizing plant is
mentioned on the sign?
2. At the same coordinates you will also find a sign telling you
about an animal that is currently on the federal endangered species
list. This animal is an example of an indicator species, one that
is so representative of the habitat where it lives (in this case
the coastal dunes) that its status can provide insight into the
overall health of the ecosystem. This animal is at high risk of
extinction if its habitat is destroyed. What is this endangered
animal? What can you do to preserve this animal's fragile habitat
and, therefore, help insure its survival while you are visiting
this area?
Now, walk across the road and down the boardwalk to the beach. (Use
the crosswalk buttons and cross only when the sign and traffic
indicate it is safe to do so.)
3. Once you are on the beach, you can experience the dynamic nature
of the coast for yourself. What are two natural forces that you can
see, hear and/or feel that are working to erode or rebuild the
coast right now?
As always, a photo of you with your gpsr is appreciated as proof of
your visit. If you have the ability to take and download a photo,
please do so. If, however, you do not have this ability, don't let
that prevent you from visiting the Alabama coast, learning a bit
about its geology and ecology and logging this earthcache.
I hope you enjoyed your visit. Remember to always practice Leave No
Trace Outdoor Ethics and Cache In Trash Out.
For more information about Gulf State Park, visit their website at
http://www.alapark.com/parks/park.cfm?parkid=22
Become an Earthcache Master:
Congratulations to Smiling Duo for being FTF.
As of April 11, 2009, I am adding this note
to all of my earthcache listings. I request that you email the
answers to me on the same day that you log your “found
it” log. (This does not have to be the day you visit, just
the day you log the find on the computer.) I also request that you
do not log a “found it” log unless you have actually
visited the site of the earthcache and sent the answers to me. As
much as I hate to do so, I will delete logs of finders who have not
provided the appropriate answers.
The majority of this information was obtained from the
Unesco Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems article;Coastal and
Marine Processes; by S J Williams.
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4 user(s) watching this cache.
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