EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. ... "Geocachers must complete the tasks before they log the EarthCache as found." (4.3. EarthCache logging tasks)
Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
This earthccache takes you on the trails of the three habitats on the island.
NOTE: Answers via message -and- three log signature pictures are required to post a find for this cache.
NOTE: You will need the three Nature Trail Booklets. Per info from a cacher, the booklets are no longer available at the Visitor Center. They are downloadable.
MARSH
1. MESSAGE ... Reach down and pick up a small sample of soil. a. Describe the texture, color, etc. of this soil. / b. This soil was originally sand. How did it become what it is now?
2. MESSAGE ... Walk the Marsh Trail. Using the Trail Guide. Identify an organism (plant or animal) that you encountered and explain how it is important in development of marsh soil.
LOG …. Post a picture of you or your signature item anywhere along the Marsh Trail. This picture is your log signature.
FOREST
3. MESSAGE ... Reach down and pick up a small sample of soil. a. Describe the texture, color, etc. of this soil. / b. This soil was originally sand. How did it become what it is now?
4. MESSAGE ... Walk the Forest Trail. Using the Trail Guide, identify an organism (plant or animal) that you encountered and explain how it is important in development of forest soil.
LOG …. Post a picture of you or your signature item anywhere along the Forest Trail. This picture is your log signature.
DUNES
5. MESSAGE ... Based on the sign along the Dune Trail. explain how dunes are formed.
6. MESSAGE ... Walk the Dune Trail. Using the Trail Guide, identify an organism (plant or animal) that you encountered and explain how it is important in changing sand to soil.
7. MESSAGE ... a. According to the sign, what is the Baltimore Boulevard now used for? b. Why was the Boulevard destroyed by a storm, whereas the current roads are withstanding the storms?
LOG …. Post a picture of you or your signature item anywhere along the Dune Trail. This picture is your log signature.
OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in creating this earthcache by adding A and B to your log.
A. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Walk to any place you choose along the Beach. See Experiencing the Ocean for ways to enjoy and understand the ocean.
B. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.
AMAZING EXPERIENCE / MIRACLE ON THE BEACH
Journeys of Heart and Mind ...
Stories to Touch the Heart and Puzzles to Challenge the Mind / Rainbow Tree Story
THANK YOU NPS Ranger Zack for permission to share this learning adventure.
BARRIER ISLANDS
Barrier Islands are long, narrow islands that form when a sandbar has built up enough to break through the water's surface. Along the eastern coast in the Atlantic Ocean lie these long narrow islands built from sand. They lie parallel and close to the mainland, protecting it from the powerful forces of wind and water. These islands are constantly being shaped by accretion (sand building up to create new island structures), and erosion (waves, currents, tides, storms).
Currents and storms work to continuously reshape the land. Longshore currents transport sand south along the coast. In the winter, sand is pulled from dunes and beaches depositing it into offshore sand bars thus reducing beach width. This process is reversed during milder summer weather, as gentler wave action acts to restore the shoreline. As land is lost on the front side of the island. it is usually gained on the back side. The combination of these processes continually moves the island southwest.
profile of a typical barrier island
ASSATEAGUE ISLAND
"Assateague is moving westward as a result of sea-level rise and the force of the surf through a process called “island rollover.” During severe storm events, sand is eroded from the ocean beaches and carried across the island by flood waters and re-deposited in marshes along the western shore, steadily narrowing the bay that separates the island from the mainland. These events can break through dunes, spilling sand in fanlike deposits or even carving inlets, such as the one that has separated Assateague and Ocean City since 1933. Long shore currents will eventually deposit sediments and close these gaps unless, like the Ocean City inlet, it is maintained with jetties and dredging."
Beach dunes and grasses on barrier islands absorb wave energy before the wave hits the mainland. This generally means smaller storm surge and less flooding on the coast.
SUCCESSION - Development from sand to soil
The sand deposited by wind on the dunes increases their size and numbers. As the organisms that make dunes their home die and decay. the nutrients slowly change the sand to soil. Assateague Island is built entirely from sand. The different habitats and soil profiles are due to succession as plants and animals make their homes, die and decay, making way for additional species to make their homes there.
ROADS
The Baltimore Boulevard was a 15 mile road built in the 1950s. Land was cleared for 130 side streets to accomodate 9,000 building lots. A massive northeaster storm demolished the road in March 1962.
Paved roads built by the NPS now take in account the movement of the island with no permanent dwellings constructed on the island.
Sand roads parallel the beach and are only accessible by Over Sand Vehicles with a required permit to travel them.
RESOURCES ... NPS The Life of the Marsh Nature Trail / NPS The Life of the Forest Nature Trail / NPS The Life of the Dunes Nature Trail /Assateague Island National Seashore pdf / Maritime Forest / Maritime Soil / Trail / Trails / Dune Succession / Forest Succession / Marsh Succession / You Tube