|
THE SCIENCE OF ECOSYSTEMS ON THE GARDEN ISLAND OF KAUAI |
|
|
|
MAINPAGE |
OF KAUAI |
|
|
|
||
|
- Sandy Beaches - |
The island's coastal zone is where the island and ocean interact in dynamic fashion. After a brief lecture on coastal erosion and the processes of sediment generation, transport and deposition we examine in detail several beaches. Localities include Kauai's main volcanic sand beach (Waimea Beach), and Hawaii's longest and largest white sand beaches (i.e., the beaches of the Mana Coastal Plain and Polihale Beach). Discussions involve; 1) the origin of both the blackish volcanic and whitish carbonate beach sediments, 2) the various sub-environments of a beach setting, including associated windblown sand dunes, and 3) the origin of beachrock. We also visit a sand quarry to observe ancient beach and sand dune deposits. Lesson plan exercises include; 1) Beach and sand dune profile construction, 2) internal stratification of sedimentary deposits, 3) measurement of grain size and other sediment textural parameters, and 4) determination of sediment composition by HCl acid extraction techniques. |
|
|
GEOLOGY |
BIOGEOGRAPHY |
BEACHES |
REEFS |
SEA LEVEL |