How Can It Get Any Smaller! EarthCache

The posted coordinates above will bring you to the Earthcache area AND a parking lot located across the road from the East Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse has visiting hours but you do not need to enter the premise to answer the questions for this Earthcache.

Park in the public parking lot (free parking) and walk a short reasonably flat distance to the fence on the point.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE FENCE.

Compare the differences between these interesting photos below. See how the cliff’s edge has eroded in these 30 years ~ (first photo) 1950s and (second photo) 1980s

1950s photo

1980s photo

Coastal Erosion

Coastal Erosion is the process of breaking down and removing shoreline material by wind, waves and ice. There are four main ways this natural erosion can occur.

Hydraulic Action occurs when waves hit cliffs compressing the air in the cracks in the sand and soil. This pressure eventually causes pieces of the cliff to break and fall off sometimes forming a cave.

Attrition occurs when waves cause the loose pieces of rock to fall off and rub against each other eventually grinding them down smaller and smaller. During this process these pieces are thrown against the cliff face in the waves and grind at the side of the cliff and cause more pieces to break and fall off.

Solution occurs when acids in the seawater cause certain types of rock to dissolve.

Abrasion/Corrasion occurs when waves break on a cliff and the debris (rocks/sand) already carried in the waves grind away and breaks off more rocks/sand on the cliff higher up.

Corrosion or solution/chemical weathering occurs when the sea's pH (anything below pH 7.0) corrodes rocks on a cliff face.

Waves

Constructive waves form beaches. They are short in height and have a long wavelength. The frequency is between 6 and 8 waves per minute. Waves are constructive when there is enough time before the next wave hits to allow the depositing of materials to settle. These materials compact when the receding water from the wave soaks into the beach. These compacted beaches are more resistant to erosion and further wave action.

Destructive waves destroy beaches. These kinds of waves are high in height and have a short time between crests. The lighter sediments in the water do not have time to be deposited and settle before being carried away by the next wave. The frequency is with between 13 and 15 waves per minute. The strong downward energy and backwash aids to erode beaches and cliffs.

REMINDER: DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS THE FENCE

To claim credit and a smiley for this Earthcache please send your answers to these questions:

1) Locate the old stone ruins of the Keeper’s Cottage (or possibly a fog horn building) beyond the fence. Give your best guess as to how wide the land is, that remains today, between the ruins and top of the cliff.

2) Count the number of waves you see hit the shore in one minute. During your visit, would you classify the waves as constructive or destructive?

3) Estimate the height of the tallest waves you see.

Those who send answers will be given a bonus.

Photos of you in the area are always nice to see and add to the interest of the geocache page. Please consider adding some of your own.
Favourite If you like this Earthcache, please consider giving it a favourite point so others will know you enjoyed the experience. Thanks a bunch for visiting ~ hope you had fun.

CedarNCo have earned (GSA) Geological Society of America's highest earthcache level:

Platimum Earthcache Level is awarded by Geo Society .org for visiting and logging 20 or more EarthCaches in 5 or more states/provinces/countries and have created 3 or more EarthCaches.