Dauphin Island EarthCache
Hidden : 6/15/2009
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:


This EarthCache will bring you to the eastern point of Dauphin Island and the outer walls of Fort Gains. Here you will be standing on what is considered a barrier Island. Barrier islands can be found on coastlines all over the world, but are most noticeable along the eastern coast of North America.

The southeastern United States, and the Gulf of Mexico region has faced some of the worst storms in years. These storms have and continue to change the size and shape of the ilands and shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico. Storms producing heavy amounts of precipitation and hurricane-force winds, resulting in high surfs cause the severe beach erosion and coastal flooding foreveer changing the land. Barrier islands are long, narrow, offshore deposits of sand or sediments that parallel the coast line. Some barrier islands can extend for 100 miles (160 km) or more. The islands are separated from the main land by a shallow sound, bay or lagoon. Barrier islands are often found in chains along the coast line and are separated from each other by narrow tidal inlets, such as one here at the mouth of Mobile Bay. Most people do not realize barrier islands here in the Northern Gulf, are creations not just of the sea, but also of the land. Islands on the northern gulf coast are made of quartz sand eroded and washed down rivers from the eastern U.S. mountain ranges. In a sense, a sand dune you may stand on today was once, thousands of years ago, the top of a rugged southern Appalachian mountain.

This sand, once swept into the open sea, is pushed by strong currents westward along the coast. Currents and waves eventually build a ridge of sediment on shallow ocean floors to create islands. Sand continues to deposit over time building the islands higher. With the right conditions, wind blown seeds germinate, and vegetation takes root. Seeds may also be carried by migrating birds. Before you know it, animals find food, water, and shelter for their homes. Inland ponds and salt marshes become nurseries when young shrimp and crabs are swept in by tides. Insects find refuge from stormy winds. Birds swoop down during migration and decide to stay for awhile. And before long a delicate balance of life, despite hurricanes and dozens of other threats, comes together on a gulf coast barrier island.

Built from sand and the sea, islands are all ways changing. What is here today may be gone tomorrow. Natural forces build and erode shorelines in a subtle, never-ending combination process combining the effects of winds, waves, currents and tides.

Using a map from the Civil war showing Fort Gains you can see the aproximate shoreline during this time. You can see how much larger the island was. Today you can see from this overhead shot what little of the shore line is left at this location. You will all so see the rip rap that was placed to control the erosion from further shrinking the Island at this location. RIPRAP is a widely used engineering method for protecting river banks and coastlines from erosion. Riprap works by adsorbing the power of the waves as they strike the shoreline and diverting it away from the shore.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Riprap — also known as rip rap (especially in Texas), rubble, shot rock or rock armour — is rock or other material used to armor shorelines, streambeds, bridge abutments, pilings and other shoreline structures against scour, water or ice erosion. It is made from a variety of rock types, commonly granite, limestone or occasionally concrete rubble from building and paving demolition. It is used to protect coastlines and structures from erosion by the sea, rivers, or streams. It is used on any waterways or water containment where there is potential for water erosion.

To Log this cache you will need to do the following.

1. Post a picture of yourself with your GPS at the posted Cordinates.
2. Email me the following: Tell me what type of rock the RipRap is made of at this location.
3. Email me the following: eplain why you think they placed several rip rap peirs at this location.and what effects they have.
4. Email me the following: with out the Rip rap, Tell me in your own words what you think would happen here at this point over the next 150 years.

Most of the work on the fort was completed by 1861. The outbreak of the Civil War then left the remainder of work to the Confederate States of America, which added the last touches by 1862. Weather you like Civil war history or not this is a great fort to tour and well worth the $5.00 each for adults to get in. More on Fort Gains can be seen here.

http://www.dauphinisland.org/fort.htm

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