Kettla Ness tombolo EarthCache
Hidden : 5/19/2015
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

Kettla Ness tombolo

At the very southern tip of West Burra, a narrow strip of land – a tombolo – joins West Burra to Kettla Ness. The tombolo has now been surfaced by a rocky causeway to enable sheep to be pastured on the island, but the form of the tombolo and its beaches is unmistakable.

A tombolo (Italian, from Latin tumulus – mound) is a deposition landform in which an island is attached to the mainland by a narrow piece of land such as a spit or bar. Once attached, the island is then known as a tied island. Such is the relationship between Kettla Ness and West Burra, and a number of similar liaisons occur throughout the Shetland Isles. In this instance, to the north of the tombolo lies the natural arc of Banna Minn, while to the south are the waters of West Voe.

True tombolos are formed by wave refraction. As waves near an island they are slowed down by the shallow water surrounding it. These waves then refract or “bend” around the island to the opposite side as they approached. The wave pattern created by this water movement causes a convergence of longshore drifting on the opposite side of the island. The waves sweep sediment together from both sides. Eventually, when enough sediment has built up the beach shoreline, known as a spit, will connect with an island and form a tombolo.

To log this EarthCache, email countrymatters with answers to the following questions, before you log your visit. I will respond promptly:

(a) What is your estimate of the width of the causewayed tombolo at its narrowest point, i.e. at the given coordinates;
(b) By how much do you calculate the sea level would have to rise to cover the tombolo?
(c) If you look at the two sides of the tombolo you will see that the side facing into Banna Minn is more sandy that that to the south. Why do you think this might be?

Finally, since photographs are no longer obligatory – but are nonetheless welcome – you can demonstrate that you have visited the location, a wild, rugged and inspiring spot, by

(d) locating a small memorial to Axel Eliezer Nielsen, and tell me what his occupation was.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)

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