Question

must use google earth to search the place

1:20 PM 57% X GE Dynamic Ocean rev Fall 2015.pdf 1. In the search text box in the upper left-hand corner, type in Cape May, New Jersey and hit Enter. Notice the iregularity of the shoreline just to the south of Beach Ave (Rt. 604) What would cause this unusual pattern along the beach? What can you infer about the direction of the longshore current at this location? How did you make this determination? 2. In the search text box in the upper left-hand corner, type in Cape Meares, Oregon and press Enter Just off the coast, you see many small islands labelled Pyramid Rock, Pillar Rock and just to the south you see other similar features labelled Seal Rock and Three Arch Rock What do these features represent? What does the presence of these features tell you about the geologic nature of this shoreline (what geologic process is occurring at this location)? Open With Print

Answer 1

1. The beach experiences longshore drift currents from the ocean, which erode the beach sand. To prevent this erosion, perpendicular walls have been built to help ebb the intensity of these currents and prevent erosion. Thus, the eroded sand gets deposited on one side of the wall where the current carrying the sand hits it, and deposits the sand here instead of carrying it away. A series of such walls have given rise to the zig zag patterns observed. From the shape of the beach deposits, the current trends towards west, since the deposits are on the eastern sides of the walls.

2. These features are called sea stacks. They are remains of sea cliffs and sea arches that got eroded by wave action. Their presence indicates that the ocean is eroding the shoreline cliff.