An update from Connor, a junior geology major:
Today was day one of data collection out of Morgan’s Harbor. Three groups set out for the bay, the beach and the mangrove swamp to make measurements assessing tectonics, paleoseismology and slope stability.
I spent much of the day working with the coring group. This entailed collecting data both on land and at sea. On land, we bushwhacked through the thorns to reach mangrove ponds.
The coring group encountered many interesting locals while trying to enter the mangrove. The mangroves resisted entry and failed to yield good cores when we reached the water. Thick mangrove roots and deep water are to blame.
Evidence of a former high-energy channel was also discovered as we walked the beach-mangrove border. Better cores were acquired later in the day by boat in the mangrove swamps northeast of Port Royal. Analysis showed extremely fine black sediment in this area.
The slope stability survey group on the seaward beach initially experienced technical difficulties but ultimately succeeded in gathering high-quality elevation data. They were visited by wild dogs who dug a large hole near them.
The seismic imaging group collected seismic lines in the eastern portion of the harbor. However, part of this study suffered from a GPS that would not update, and students spent much of the afternoon fixing this issue (it now appears resolved).
A good day was had by all, and data gathered is looking to prove useful. Sunburns forming on many.