GCA8R0R Welcome to the Emerald Coast! 🌊 💚 (Earthcache) in Florida, United States created by Ocean5000

GCA8R0R ▼

A cache by Ocean5000 Message this owner

Hidden : 5/10/2023

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:

The Emerald Coast:

The Emerald Coast is a region in the Panhandle of Florida between Pensacola and Panama City Beach (PCB). Every year, millions of visitors come to the Emerald Coast for its calm waves and pristine green waters. Many ask, why is this water green? In a nutshell, many factors cause the water to appear green. A large amount of phytoplankton present in the water is a common biological explanation. However, geologically speaking, the special “sugar sand” that comes from the erosion from the Appalachian Mountains and the presence of shallow sand bars just off of the beach help accentuate the color variations. Although this EarthCache will mention the unique sand only found in this region, we invite you to learn more about this topic from idcacher’s EarthCache here: https://www.geocaching.com/geocache/GC6YB2Y. Our EarthCache will focus on PCB’s special sand bars.

What are Sand Bars?

Sand bars (offshore bars) are created due to the accretion of sediment (like sand, gravel, etc.). Some sand bars are exposed to the surface at low tide, while others remain completely submerged throughout the day. Sand bars are created by wave action. Large waves tend to carry more sediment to sand bars, allowing them to grow faster. As a result, during large storms and hurricanes, many beaches along the Florida Panhandle have seen large sand bars pop up around harbors, inlets, and bays. As sand bars grow, they can form barrier islands. Barrier islands such as the Outer Banks in North Carolina or Miami Beach in South Florida are long, parallel islands to the coast. Barrier islands and offshore sand bars can help protect the mainland from storm damage.

Two Sand Bars: A One-of-a-kind Phenomenon

On most beaches in the Gulf of Mexico and on the Eastern Seaboard, a single sand bar runs parallel to the coast. At Panama City Beach, two permanent sand bars run adjacent to the coast due to special wave action. The sand bars are viewed as two strips of green (see the picture below). The first sand bar is quite close to the beach and often frequented by waders and swimmers. The second sand bar is farther out in the ocean (about 500 feet from shore) and is significantly deeper. The two sand bar system forms due to the fact that the slope of the sea bed offshore of PCB is very steep. Large waves break and deposit sand on the second sand bar, while smaller waves crash on the one closer to the beach.

How do waves affect the beach?

Waves enormously impact how sand is deposited and how the beach face is shaped. They can be classified as either plunging, spilling, or surging breakers.

Spilling breakers form on gentle beach slopes. The surf rolls over the front of the wave, and the waves break far from shore.

Plunging breakers have moderately steep beach slopes. The wave takes a long time to break, forming a distinctive tunnel-like shape.

Surging breakers have steep beach slopes. This causes the wave to roll onto the beach (and not actually break).

Logging Tasks:

Observe both sand bars from the beach. Which sand bar seems to be larger/have more deposited sediment on it? Explain why you think this occurs.
You will need to wade in the water to complete this task. Enter at your own risk. Estimate how shallow the first sand bar (closest one to the beach) is. What types of debris (sand, shells, rocks, pebbles, etc.) make up this sediment bar?
What is the type of beach slope and corresponding breakers found at Panama City Beach?
As of June 2019, earthcaches now contain required photo logging tasks. Please provide a photo of yourself, your GPSr, or a personal item that proves that you have visited this site. Please post this in your log.