Coastal Erosion and Shoreline Processes Field Trip -

Saturday, October 23^rd 2010

Moonlight Beach, Encinitas 9:00 am

Introduction

This fieldtrip assignment involves participating in a field trip from Moonlight Beach to Beacons Beach. The focus of the fieldtrip is on coastal erosion, beach dynamics, and bluff stability remediation. The completed worksheet and written reflection of the fieldtrip must be turned in by Sunday October 24 at 11:55 pm (online) or at the beginning of the class the following week (on-campus). 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.

Option #1 – The In-Person Coastal Geology Fieldtrip

Date: Saturday, October 23^rd 2010 at 9:00 am

Where: Moonlight Beach, Encinitas

How to Moonlight Beach: A number of road maps are posted at this site that should be sufficient for finding all the field trip stops. If there still is uncertainty, then check with a good road map. It would be a good idea to download and print-out the road maps for this fieldtrip found at this site. Below is a link having directions and general information about Moonlight Beach: http://www.dreamtimedolphin.com/beaches/beaches-moonlight-beach.html

The Moonlight Beach parking lot is at the corner of 2^nd Street and “C” Street. We'll meet near the food concession stand near the volleyball courts at the northwest corner of the beach park. Don't be late! Below are links to road maps to get to Moonlight Beach.

How long?: The trip will probably take about two 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 North County, and to better understand the concepts concerning sedimentary rocks, depositional environments, shoreline processes, geomorphology, and weathering and erosion, with an emphasis on the recent bluff failures and seawall construction.

Activities: Observe, study, and discuss the recent bluff failures and seawall construction along local beaches, with consideration of the nature and origin of the beaches, ocean waves and currents, and bluff geology.

Field Assignment: Students will be required to complete a 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. The required worksheet that you must bring with you is found at the following link:

Required Worksheet Download link: http://oceansci.com/inperson_fieldtrip3_worksheet.htm

Grade Points: Students will receive up to 10 extra 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 a clipboard, writing tools, water, and sunscreen. A towel, Frisbee, and surfboard are optional.

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

Option #2 – The Virtual So-Cal Offshore and Shoreline Waves and Beaches Fieldtrip

Field Assignment: Students need to complete a question-based worksheet on the virtual field trip experience to be turned in via the online classroom assignment portal. You need to return your written answers to those questions in the Fieldtrip #3 Assignment submit section) as a response to this assignment in order to receive extra credit. This “virtual” fieldtrip focuses on coastal processes, including wave action, runoff, and bluff erosion, and can be completed online, and is composed of two parts:

I. Offshore processes including waves and currents

II. Shoreline processes including beach and bluff deposition and erosion.

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

Worksheet link: http://www.oceansci.com/virtual_fieldtrip3_worksheet.htm