Coastal erosion is the wearing away of land and the removal of beach or dune sediments by wave action, tidal currents, wave currents, or drainage. Waves, generated by storms, wind, or fast moving motor craft, cause coastal erosion, which may take the form of long-term losses of sediment and rocks, or merely the temporary redistribution of coastal sediments; erosion in one location may result in addition of much more landmass nearby. The study of erosion and sediment redistribution is called 'coastal morphodynamics'. On non-rocky coasts, coastal erosion results in dramatic (or non-dramatic) rock formations in areas where the coastline contains rock layers or fracture zones with varying resistance to erosion. Softer areas become eroded much faster than harder ones, which typically result in landforms such as tunnels, bridges, columns, and roads. Also abrasion commonly happens in areas where there are strong winds, loose sand, and soft rocks.The blowing of millions of sharp sand grains creates a sandblasting effect. This effect helps to erode,smooth and polish rocks.The definition of abrasion is grinding and wearing away of rock surfaces through the mechanical action of other rock or sand particles. The Town of Palm Beach, located on a barrier island, has been concerned about erosion for over 70 years beginning with construction of the Lake Worth Inlet jetties and navigational channel in the 1920s. Prior to 1970 all material dredged to maintain the channel was deposited offshore, meaning nearly two million cubic yards of sand were lost to the beaches. The 1947 Fort Lauderdale hurricane was an intense tropical cyclone that affected the Bahamas, southernmost Florida, and the Gulf Coast of the United States in September 1947. It reached a peak intensity equivalent to that of a Category 5–the highest possible ranking–180 mph (290 km/h).Widespread flooding and coastal damage resulted from heavy rainfall and high tides. Many vegetable plantings, citrus groves, and cattle were submerged or drowned as the storm exacerbated already high water levels.
This hurricane's massive waves and strong winds caused extreme erosion and pulled a 5 mile (8.5km) stretch of Florida's famous A1A beach highway into the ocean in the City of Manalapan, Florida (South Palm Beach, Lake Worth) A1A was rebuilt by straightening so to keep it farther away from the ocean to prevent another occurrence, and over time condominiums now separate the old sunken A1A from its new replacement, however the Island has continued to lose approximately 550,000 cubic yards of sand per year. The effects of this loss have cumulatively reduced the storm protection capabilities of the existing beach..
In the late 1950s, a sand transfer plant was constructed to capture some of the sand that could not pass around the inlet and place it on the beaches to the south, As well as authorizing a seawall and groin construction program in 1956. The seawalls have continued to provide storm protection, yet many of the groins have deteriorated or have been removed. Responding to the need for an overall program to protect the island, the Town of Palm Beach authorized development of a Comprehensive Coastal Management Plan (CCMP) in April 1986 One of the most interesting geological landmarks in South Florida, a piece of this road can be obtained during Florida Stormy season as the edges become battered and break away, and you can see the many layers when this road was paved over time and time again in the past. This land is now currently home to many small tropical fish and sea creatures.
To get credit for this cache, you must do the following:
1) Estimate how far from Sunken A1A has the new road been constructed. At the rate of current erosion, when do you think A1A would succumb to the same fate again?
2) What currently has been implemented to slow the progress of this erosion? Specifically from another storm? (HINT: There are two possible answers to this, just walk down the beach)
3) OPTIONAL: Take a photo of yourself at this beach enjoying the sunken road and the beautiful ocean if you can OR take a photo while standing ON Sunken A1A if you can!.
Send your answers for all 3 to me in a profile message Do not include the answers in your "Found It" Log. Violators will be prosecuted even though I may defend you.