Indialantic Barrier Island EarthCache
Indialantic Barrier Island
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This EarthCache is located on part of a barrier island in Indialantic, FL. The coordinates will take you to the Howard E. Futch Memorial Park.
Congrats to explorer290 for being the first to complete this EarthCache!
Although this area is very developed, it is important for us to realize that it is fragile and provides a habitat for many species of wildlife; not just Brevard County residents and tourists. For example, I saw a Glass Lizard in the parking lot here as I was planning this EarthCache. He was struggling to move his legless body from the pavement to a grassy area. I feared that he would be run-over by a passing motorist, so after watching him struggle and rest for several minutes, I decided to help him to the safety of the grass and dirt where he was able to move about effortlessly.
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.
The formation of barrier islands is complex and not completely understood. The current theory is that barrier islands were formed about 18,000 years ago when the last Ice Age ended. As the glaciers melted and receded, the sea levels began to rise, and flooded areas behind the beach ridges at that time. The rising waters carried sediments from those beach ridges and deposited them along shallow areas just off the new coast lines. Waves and currents continued to bring in sediments that built up, forming the barrier islands. In addition, rivers washed sediments from the mainland that settled behind the islands and helped build them up.
Barrier islands serve two main functions. First, they protect the coastlines from severe storm damage. Second, they harbor several habitats that are refuges for wildlife.
To get credit for this EarthCache, E-mail me the answers to the following 3 questions:
1. What is the date on the sign at the posted coordinates?
2. What is the estimated width of the barrier island at this location?
3. What method did you use to make this estimation?
Finally, post a picture of you and your party (or of your GPS if you are caching solo) taken anywhere in the Howard E. Futch Memorial Park. Do not include the sign at the posted coordinates in your photo.
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Treasures
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