Earthcache at Gulf State Park EarthCache

This cache has been archived.

GeorgiaTreasureQuester: The signs for the Earthcache are gone. Archive

Please continue to explore the geology of the world around you.

More
Hidden : 3/5/2009
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works
Looking for a different adventure?

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:


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.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Bar jnl gb trg gur zbfg bhg bs yvsr vf gb ybbx hcba vg nf na nqiragher.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


Advertising with Us

Inventory

There are no Trackables in this cache.

View past Trackables

What are Trackable Items?

Bookmark Lists

View all 29 bookmark lists...