Field
Trip #2 – Coastal Waves, Currents, and Shoreline Features
Saturday, October 8, 2011 - 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 Alternate Assignment to
the 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 16th
by 11:55 pm (online classes) OR at the beginning of next class meeting
(on-campus classes).
The In-Person Black’s Beach Fieldtrip
Date: Saturday October 8, 2011 at 9:00
AM
Where: Black’s Beach,
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 to three hours 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/inperson_fieldtrip2_worksheet.pdf
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.
Alternative Extra Credit Ocean Wave
and Current Assignment
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 offshore swell conditions and ocean currents, and to
better understand the concepts of formation, monitoring, predicting and effects
of ocean waves and currents.
Activities: Complete a worksheet consisting of
a two-part set of online ocean wave and current exercises.
Field
Assignment:
Students will be required to complete a set of questions using information
found at the following two different websites:
PART I. CDIP SWELL MODELS OF
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
http://www.palomar.edu/oceanography/waves/index.htm
PART II. CURRENTS OF THE WORLD OCEAN
http://www.montereyinstitute.org/noaa/lesson08.html
A copy of the alternative fieldtrip
assignment worksheet is found at these links:
http://www.oceansci.com/virtual_fieldtrip2_worksheet.htm
Correct way to submit the assignment: Submit an
attached word doc or .rtf file document into the assignment center. Do not past your assignment into the
submission text box. You must include
the question along with your answer.
Grade
Points: Students
will receive 10 extra credit points for completion and submittal of the written
questionnaire worksheet.