Field Trip #2 – Coastal Waves, Currents, and Shoreline Features

Saturday, October 9, 2010 -  9:00 am   

Introduction

This fieldtrip assignment involves participating in a field trip to Black’s Beach.   The focus of this fieldtrip is on coastal wave and current activity, including wind waves, longshore and rip currents, breaking surf, and beach system dynamics.  Shoreline features, including beaches and bluffs will also be studied.   Students must complete a field trip worksheet during the fieldtrip, and write a reflection, both of which will be due at the beginning of the next scheduled class meeting. Below is more detailed information.  Students can earn 10 extra credit points for this fieldtrip.  Those who choose to complete the field trip online will receive full credit when they respond to this assignment by answering (correctly, of course) the Virtual Fieldtrip Question Worksheet file included on this assignment page.  Below is information for both, the in-person, and online alternative fieldtrips.  .  The completed worksheet and written reflection of the fieldtrip must be turned in by Sunday October 10th 1 at 10 am at the beginning of class.

 

 

 The In-Person Black’s Beach Fieldtrip

Date: Saturday October 9, 2010 at 9:00 AM

Where: Black’s Beach, San Diego. We will meet on the bluff overlooking the ocean due south of the glider port facility. Park in the dirt parking lot directly south of the glider port facility.  Don't be late!

How to Get There: go to this site for maps and directions to the meeting place - 

Directions to the Meeting Area

How long?: The trip will probably take about two hours and thirty minutes to complete (9:00 am to 12:00 pm).

Cancellation due to Weather: The field trip will be cancelled if it rains (very unlikely!!).

General Purpose: To familiarize students with the coastal geology of San Diego County, and to better understand the concepts concerning sedimentary rocks, depositional environments, shoreline processes, geomorphology,  weathering and erosion, with an emphasis on geologic history of San Diego.

Activities: Observe, study, and discuss the local ocean wave, current and beach conditions.

Field Assignment: Students will be required to complete a short field trip question handout, which includes answering fill-in questions, observing ocean and bluff conditions, and writing a short reflection on the field trip experience to be turned in via the online classroom assignment portal.

Grade Points: Students will receive up to 10 credit grade points for completed the field trip, which includes attendance and the completion and submittal of a written reflection.  

What to Bring: Students should bring the worksheet, a clipboard, writing tools, water, sunscreen, and a camera.

              Also bring a copy of the in-person fieldtrip worksheet.  Download a copy from this link:

                           http://www.oceansci.com/coast_fieldtrip2_worksheet.htm

What to Wear: Loose, comfortable clothes (T-shirt and shorts is good) along with a sweatshirt or windbreaker. Beach weather may range from sunny and warm to overcast and cool. So it is a good idea to be prepared either way.

 

 Extra Credit Online Ocean Wave Activities

 

The online Ocean Waves Exercise was put together by Dr. Chris Metzler here at MiraCosta College, and can be found at this Palomar College URL:

 

http://www.palomar.edu/oceanography/waves/index.htm

 

Students who complete the online version must answer the exercise questions that are included in the online Worksheet file included on this assignment page below. You need to return your written answers to those questions by the schedule deadline in order to receive credit.

General Purpose: To familiarize students with wind wave conditions, and to better understand the concepts of monitoring and predicting ocean waves, with an emphasis on waves off our California coastline.

Activities: Complete an eight-part online ocean wave exercise.

Field Assignment: Students will be required to complete a set of questions using the worksheet provided as a link on the professor’s class webpage (beneath this file’s link).

              A copy of the virtual fieldtrip questionnaire is found at this link:

                           http://www.oceansci.com/costa_ocean_option_fieldtrip2_worksheet.htm

Grade Points: Students will receive 10 extra credit points for completion and submittal of the written questionnaire worksheet.