Virtual Field Labs

Beach Profiling Fieldtrip: (Turbeville) Grandview Beach, City of Encinitas, California

This fieldtrip examines regional processes that impact sand-height levels on the beach.  The emphasis is on seasonal wave and tidal characteristics for the area. The lab investigation includes a comparison of before and after data for the 2001 North San Diego County Beach Nourishment Program.

 

Coastal Erosion Fieldtrip (Metzler): Solana Beach, California (Web-lab)

On this field trip we will examine the natural as well as human-induced causes of this coastal erosion. We'll look at the variety of factors which control the erosion process and discuss possible approaches to deal with the problem.

 

Dana Point Advanced Floating Lab (Turbeville): Dana Point California

The advanced floating lab is operated by the Ocean Institute located in Dana Point, California.  The lab consists of a series of stations (6) designed to collect and analyze oceanographic data taken in the field. The focus is on relating the data observations to the physical and biologic systems in our near-shore environment. 

 

Geologic Hazards Fieldtrip : (Turbeville) San Onofre, California

The purpose of this trip is to explore the geologic hazards in the San Onofre Area related to fault activity and soft-sediment slumping.  The Cristianitos Fault has a spectacular exposure here and is observed in close proximity to the San Onofre Nuclear Powerplant. The slumping in the Monterey Formation makes the beach (near the cliffs) very dangerous and is eroding the sea-cliff towards the day-use area, the railroad, and Interstate 5.

 

Igneous Fieldtrip: (Turbeville) Calavera Hills, City of Carlsbad, California

The Calavera Hills area contains one of several volcanic necks found throughout San Diego County. These volcanic necks are what remain of the volcanic “throat” after surrounding sediment and pyroclastic material has been stripped away.  On this fieldtrip, you will see 2 types of igneous rocks which were formed under different conditions. Very simple and poignant observations will allow you to identify the rock types, the conditions that formed them and determine the sequence of major events as they occurred in this area. 

 

San Diego County Geology (Metzler): San Diego, California (Web-lab)

This web-page is designed to give an overview of the geology in northern San Diego County, California. The field trip involves one day of driving from the coastline to the mountains, stopping at a variety of locations to examine rocks, landforms, faults and other features of geologic interest.

 

Tidepools Fieldtrip: (Turbeville) Seaside Reef, City of Encinitas, California

Tidepools are a dynamic interface between the sea and the land.  Daily tidal fluctuations create an ever-changing environment where organisms must be highly adapted to their environment in order to survive.  Tidepools can be divided into four (4) zones, based upon time of exposure above sea level and by the index species that live within them.