To Log This Cache:
1. Is this a coastal or atoll lagoon?
2. Is this a estuarine, open, partly closed, or closed lagoon?
2a. Is the result increase in water flow or wave drift?
3. Use the reference point I have given you, N 42° 39.973 W 086° 12.804. This is approximately how wide this lagoon is. From that reference point to ground zero, what is the distance?
4. Take a selfie with you and or group at ground zero. If you do not want to be in the picture, post an original object with your picture. Plain picture with no object(s) or person(s) will NOT be accepted.
NOTE: cell phone service may be not so good in this area. You can try to connect to the free wifi from Oval Beach to help.
Lagoons are formed when a body of water is separated from a larger body of water, typically the ocean, by a natural barrier such as barrier islands, coral reefs, or sandbars. These barriers restrict water circulation, creating a shallow, sheltered body of water. Coastal lagoons are the most common type, forming along coastlines, while atoll lagoons develop around coral reefs.
Coastal Lagoons:
Formation:
They typically form along coastlines with gently sloping landscapes and relatively small tidal ranges.
Barrier Formation:
Sediment, like sand, accumulates, often forming barrier islands or sand spits that separate the lagoon from the ocean.
Shallow Basin:
As the barrier builds up, a shallow basin or depression is created behind it, becoming a lagoon.
Water Circulation:
Coastal lagoons can have varying degrees of connection to the ocean, influencing water circulation and salinity. lagoons?
Atoll Lagoons:
Reef Growth:
Atoll lagoons form around coral reefs, which grow upwards as the islands they surround subside or erode.
Ring-Shaped Reef:
Eventually, only the reef remains, forming a ring-shaped structure with a central lagoon.
Deep Portions:
Atoll lagoons can be deeper than coastal lagoons and often have multiple channels connecting them to the ocean.
Estuarine lagoons are coastal bodies of water formed where a river meets the sea, but with restricted or limited connection to the open ocean. They often feature a mix of freshwater and saltwater, creating a brackish environment. These lagoons can be naturally formed or created by human intervention, and their characteristics can vary significantly depending on factors like tidal influence, freshwater inflow, and the size and number of openings to the sea.
Open lagoons are coastal bodies of water typically found behind barrier islands or reefs, separated from the open ocean by a barrier. They are characterized by relatively shallow, quiet water and are often sites of mud deposition. Sediment sources include continental shelf material, rivers, and mainland erosion. The geology of an open lagoon is influenced by factors like wave energy, tidal currents, and sediment supply.
Partly closed lagoons are shallow bodies of water situated along coastlines, separated from the open ocean by a barrier and connected via restricted inlets. These lagoons are characterized by dynamic environments influenced by a combination of geological and hydrological processes shaping the coastline.