Barrier Island Sanctuary EarthCache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
2nd Environmentally Endangered Lands Program Management and Education Center is a modern educational facility with classrooms, an interactive exhibit room, a library, offices, auditorium, restrooms and a gift shop. Open-Tuesday-Sunday, 9-5 PM
There are three prevailing theories about the origin of barrier islands: wave action creating sand bars; violent storms; and sea level rising from melting ice.
Barrier islands are located parallel to the mainland, separated by estuaries, bays and lagoons, on a gently sloping continental shelf.
These islands provide protection to the mainland from the brunt of ocean waves and are considered dynamic environments, as they are constantly being shaped and reshaped, eroded and accreted.
Their formation depends on sand supply, wave energy, and tidal fluctuations. These islands typically occur in chains which are separated from each other by tidal inlets.
Geologically speaking, barrier islands are young features; the vast majorities are less than 7,000 years in age, and most are probably less than 3,000 years old.
There are five zones to a barrier island. To log this earthcache, one must complete two elements of learning and post a photo of yourself in your favorite zone.
The education center has 5 educational panels with interactive exhibits. First element is to absorb knowledge and one must answer the questions below from the data on the panels:
On the Subtidal Lagoon display what influence the water level in the Indian River Lagoon?
On the Intertidal Lagoon display there are three items that greatly help stabilize the shorelines. What are they?
On the Maritime Hammock display what is shaped by salt spray from onshore winds?
On the Dune & Coastal Strand display what maintains the habitat?
On the Nearshore Region display what changes the beach profile?
The second element is to demonstrate mastery of knowledge and to complete that requirement, proceed to the following two locations which are outside the center and along the board walk. All of this is wheelchair and stroller accessable.
N27 54.175 W80 28.261
Based on the data learned from the educational panels and your direct observations, which two regions lie before you?
N27 54.138 W80 28.256
Based on the data learned from the educational panels and your direct observations, which two regions lie before you, just past A1A and the power lines?
Due to ongoing projects, if the two areas are not directly accessible, you can compare the data from your knowledge development in the first element to what you observe from as close as you get to provide an answer or post a picture of you at the temporary 'barrier'
Barrier island is a dynamic place, constantly changing with the weather and seasons.
By far, barrier islands are most abundant in those regions subject to sea level rise—the Atlantic and Arctic coasts of North America and Eurasia—where an overwhelming 95% of islands are of the coastal plain variety. Deltaic islands increase in relative abundance to between 30% and 60% in South America, Africa, South Asia, and Australia.
The Barrier Island Sanctuary Management & Education Center web site here
You might be interested in looking up this cache before heading out: GC1CJ89 Memories flash.
I am Proud to be SILVER Level EarthCache Masters!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
Loading Treasures