Parking is available along either side of PCH. However the best area is just west on the same side of the road as the cache. If traveling south on PCH, it is best to pass the cache and use the Sycamore Canyon entrance to turn around and come back to the parking area on the north bound side. I do not recommend attempting to cross PCH on foot. In either case be sure to park completely off the pavement
Eolian transport refers to the wind’s ability to move particles. Similar to the movement of particles by water, winds move particles through three processes: suspension, saltation, and creep. However, since air is much less dense than water, the size particles that wind can move is much smaller than water.
Tiny particles can remain suspended in the air by gentle currents. They float through the air like way downy seedpods are blown by the wind. These tiny particles are less than 0.2 millimeters across and can be transported around the entire planet.
Larger particles, about the size of sand, can be temporarily picked up and carried downwind in a process called saltation. Typically the particles are not lifted more than a centimeter above the ground. When a saltating grain lands, it knocks other grains up in the air continuing the saltation process.
A saltating particle could also collide with a particle that is too heavy to be moved by the wind, but collision knocks the larger particle downwind. This process is called creep.
Logging requirements:
Send me a note with :
- The text "GC19CHG The Great Sand Dune at Thornhill Broome Beach" on the first line
- The caching names of the people in your group.
- Which of the three processes most likely created this dune?
- Are the same processes occurring at the top of the dune as at the bottom near the highway?
- Is there a grain size difference between the particles near the top of the dune and near the bottom? What would account for the difference or similarity?
The above information was compiled from the following source:
- Eolean Procces, USGS, http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/deserts/eolian/ Maintained by Publications Service Center Last modified 10/29/97
Placement approved by Point Mugu State Park