On Thursday 23 June 2016, year 8 met up on a beautiful sunny morning (quite a rarity in June) at Studland Bay ready for the coastal adventures that lay ahead. The day began with a look at the process of longshore drift.
Longshore drift is the transport of sediment along the coastline caused by the waves approaching the beach at an angle.
After the students and staff demonstrated the process of longshore drift (LSD) along the beach, we then carried out an experiment to find out the direction of LSD. Then we went on to learn about sand dune succession, management of the dunes and the negative impacts that visitors can have on this fragile ecosystem.
Before leaving Studland Bay, we made a model of Old Harry Rocks on the beach so that we could understand how the headland had been eroded over hundreds of years to create a cave, then an arch, followed by a stack (Old Harry) and a stump (Old Harry’s wife). Next it was clearly time for an ice-cream to build up our energy for the walk to Old Harry Rocks.
Small groups were able to go up to a spectacular viewpoint and make field sketches of Old Harry Rocks.
After a well-earned lunch, we carried on our walk until we arrived at Swanage Bay. There we were able to see the coastal management strategies that have been put in place to try and prevent the beach being washed away due to longshore drift and to protect the cliff to ensure it is not eroded away along with the houses and hotel nearby.
All in all, we had a lovely day and it was a great introduction to the coasts for the Year 8 students.