Published in: Science News on August 28, 2010
Link: http://go.galegroup.com/ps/retrieve.do?sgHitCountType=None&sort=DA-SORT&inPS=true&prodId=GPS&userGroupName=hatterslib&tabID=T003&searchId=R14&resultListType=RESULT_LIST&contentSegment=&searchType=BasicSearchForm¤tPosition=1&contentSet=GALE%7CA236332648&&docId=GALE|A236332648&docType=GALE&role=SUIC
Picture Link: http://www.pensacolabeachblogger.com/2008/09/pensacola-beach-erosion/
Picture: This picture shows the erosion left in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. This is a common sight after large storms come on shore.
Summary: Beach erosion is a very common and natural process. After Hurrican Ike hit Texas in 2008, questions were sparked on how this occurs. Scientists are beginning to use very high-tech equipment in order to find a pattern in the erosions. They are taking scans of the ocean floor and mapping it so that they can notice changes after storms and other events occur. Their research has shown that large storms can move very large areas of sediments. This is because the churning of the ocean currents caused by the storm causes a movement of sediments that can be placed anywhere along the ocean floor in the path of the storm. With the data that they are collecting, they can eventually predict the location of the shoreline in future years based on the pattern of erosion. In the future, shoreline houses can be better placed based on the information being gathered by these scientists.
Opinion/Reflection: I am surprised by the technology that is being used by these scientists. The ability to map the ocean floor is crazy. Hopefully, the scientists are able to save many beach houses from being swept away by the ocean. The problem is, the pattern of storms is unpredictable so that could cause issues. I still think that it is a great idea for them to be trying to predict erosion in order to save the houses on the shore.
Questions:
- Do you think scientists can accurately predict erosion? Why?
- What could be some potential interferences with their methods?
- Are they using a truly effective method? Why or why not?
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ReplyDeleteWhenever I would go to the shore and look at all of the houses along the beach I wondered what would happen if there was a natural disaster of some sort and they were close enough to the ocean to be impacted. With this technology and these scientists we will be able to answer that question and protect people in the future. I am surprised that people did not start this process years ago though. The process takes a decent amount of time and doesn’t use any new technology that we have not had in the past 15 years or so. One of the main contributors to the findings of erosion is the USGS (United States Geological Survey); they use many types of methods to get the right measurements. To learn more visit: http://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/northcarolina/. Like any technology, side scan sonar is not without its imperfections. Interference with sonar images can be caused by poor sea conditions during use, the movement of the boat will have an effect on the accuracy of the image produced by the sonar scan. The seabed also presents problems in sonar imaging; rapidly changing terrain and rocky seabed present a variety of potential “noise” that will deteriorate the resolution of the final image. Predicting the amount of erosion and movement of sediment will be very helpful for the world in the future and it is good that we have started this process.
ReplyDeleteOpinion/ Reflection: Beach erosion is a very unfortunate process. All beaches face an almost imminent degradation process which will destroy thousands of coastal homes. Just last summer I went to visit to Cape May beach with my family. I was shocked to find that over the course of a few months a large portion of the beach was swallowed by the ocean. However, just as ocean takes away sand, it can replenish sand as well. Erosion can be naturally reversed with no human interference. Hearing about sonar technology able to map the ocean floor is exciting news! The idea of such powerful tool is very interesting to hear about.
ReplyDeleteQuestion/Analysis: I am bit skeptical about the reliability of such technology. The accuracy can be swayed by many factors that our out of scientists control. This leads me to believe that the process may not be scientific. While this technology is fascinating, it is too unstable for scientific purpose.
For my question section I chose to answer #3.
DeleteReflection/ Opinion: I think that it is cool that they can use different technologies to figure out the patterns of erosion. I also think that it is weird that when the storm comes through, parts of the ocean floor get moved. I would like to see the scientists find a solution for erosion. I’d also like to see the shoreline houses not get destroyed by erosion.
ReplyDeleteAnswer to question: Do you think scientists can accurately predict erosion?
I don’t think that the scientists can accurately predict erosion. I think this because a storm can come and hit an area at an unexpected time and destroy a whole area. Also, because the oceans may not have much activity for a while at a time.