sea Archives - Page 15 of 28

Agitated

Potentially hazardous waves can be caused by severe weather, like a hurricane. The strong winds and pressure from this type of severe storm cause storm surge, a series of long waves that are created far from shore in deeper water and intensify as they move closer to land. Other hazardous waves can be caused by underwater disturbances that displace large amounts of water quickly such as earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions. These very long waves are called tsunamis. Storm surge and tsunamis are not the types of waves you imagine crashing down on the shore. These waves roll upon the shore like a massive sea level rise and can reach far distances inland.

29 August 2018Landscape, Picture of the day

Sweep

The Robberg Peninsula is conserved for several reasons. The mainland connects to an island through a spit called a tombolo. This results from waves sweeping around both sides of the island. Similar to other rocky headlands on this coastline, Robberg Peninsula supports a diverse array of plants and animals that have adapted to this land/sea ecology. But what sets it apart is the distinctive climbing-falling dune (one of only seven on this coastline). The bedrock of the peninsula was dated to the prehistoric breaking up of Gondwanaland and evidence of this can be seen at several sites. Besides the unique and fascinating typography, evidence of middle and later Stone Age inhabitation was found in a few of the caves. It is for this reason that the reserve was proclaimed a national monument.

10 August 2018Landscape, Picture of the day

En-route

The plough snail is a species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc. When the tide starts to rise, this snail emerges from the sand, spreads its large “foot” like a sail, and surfs up the beach in response to the smell of carrion. The large foot is also used to burrow into the sand when the tide recedes. It sticks its proboscis into the prey to suck up soft tissues. It often gathers in large numbers to feed on dead and stranded jellyfish and bluebottles.

8 August 2018Picture of the day, Wildlife