COASTAL FIELDWORK
AIM : To examine the factors which may have led to variations in coastal
features at two points along the coast at Guayamare Beach in Cumana,
Northeast Trinidad.
Location –
Group members –
Materials/Tools needed – Wind ball, measuring tape, broomstick, stop watch,
camera, clipboard (optional), pen/pencil.
Tidal Conditions – High Tide
Low Tide
Mid (Rising/Falling)
Weather conditions –
Wind strength : Calm (barely felt with little or no movement of vegetation)
Medium (lightly felt with movement of leaves/branches)
Strong (strongly felt with swaying of leaves/branches/trees)
Sketch of coast showing data collection points –
Distance from edge of Height (in feet/inches)
backshore (Fall of land towards the sea)
Section 1 Section 2
5ft (60in.) 14 in. 11in.
10ft (120 in.) 22 in. 23in.
15ft (180 in.) 29 in. 32in.
20ft (240 in.) 40 in. 41in.
25ft (300 in.) 51 in. 43in.
30ft (360 in.) 59 in. 49in.
35ft (420 in.) 61 in.
40ft (480 in.)
45ft (540 in.)
50ft (600 in.)
55ft (660 in.)
60ft (720 in.)
65ft (780 in.)
70ft (840 in.)
Width of section (use measuring tape to measure width – edge of backshore to
present watermark/shoreline)
WIDTH
Section 1 35 ft Section 2 30 ft
Change in height from edge of backshore to present watermark/shoreline
(Place broomstick vertically at waterline. Mark the point on stick which is eye
level with edge of backshore. Measure and record height.)
HEIGHT
Section 1 61 in. Section 2 49 in.
Calculate Gradient – use formula: Vertical change (Average height)
Horizontal Distance (Average Width
GRADIENT
Section 1 1:6.9 Section 2 1:7.3
Description of coastline –
Draw sketch of (30ft) section (Stand at shoreline facing backshore. Try to include
shape of coastline, coastal features and vegetation
types. Estimate height and width of major features
and vegetation types – label on diagram)
SECTION 1
SECTION 2
Identify/Describe features along section –
SECTION 1
Erosional features Frequency Brief Descriptions
Stack 1 Approx. 4ft from shoreline
Approx. 20ft in height
Depositional Frequency Brief Descriptions
Features
Beach Across entire
study area
SECTION 2
Erosional features Frequency Brief Descriptions
Across majority of Located at backshore
Low cliff Study area
Depositional Frequency Brief Descriptions
Features
Beach Across entire
study area
Classify dominant particle size from edge of backshore to water line –
(done at 5ft intervals)
Fine – 5 mm or less
Medium – 6 mm to 10 cm
Large – greater than 10cm
Distance from edge of Size classification of predominant particles
backshore
Section 1 Section 2
5ft Fine Fine
10ft Fine Fine
15ft Fine Fine
20ft Fine Fine
25ft Fine Fine
30ft Fine
35ft Fine
40ft
45ft
Determine Wave Velocity – Establish two points – Point B – 20ft from shoreline
into sea, and Point A - another 20ft further out into sea (distances will be
estimated due to restrictions). Use stopwatch to determine time taken to travel
from Point A to Point B. Complete 5 times then calculate average.
Wave number Time Taken
Section 1 Section 2
1 6s 9s
2 7s 7s
3 7s 8s
4 8s 7s
5 6s 9s
Average 6.8s 8s
Determine Wave Type – Count the number of waves per minute breaking on
shore. Complete 5 times and find average. Determine whether Constructive or
Destructive by:
Constructive (Less than 9 waves per minute)
Destructive (9 or more waves per minute)
SECTION 1
Attempt/Minute Number of waves Wave Type
1 14 Destructive
2 14 Destructive
3 13 Destructive
4 13 Destructive
5 15 Destructive
Average 13.8 Destructive
SECTION 2
Attempt/Minute Number of waves Wave Type
1 11 Destructive
2 8 Constructive
3 9 Destructive
4 7 Constructive
5 8 Constructive
Average 8.6 Constructive
Measure Longshore Drift – Establish a starting point. Throw the ball 10ft into
water. Use stopwatch and measuring tape to determine the time taken and
distance travelled before returning to shore. Also, observe direction travelled.
SECTION 1
Attempts Time Distance Direction
1 14s 15ft South
2 9s 12ft 2in. South
3 16s 40ft 3in. North
4 26s 70ft South
5 15s 30ft South
Average 16s 33ft 6in. South
SECTION 2
Attempts Time Distance Direction
1 5s 18ft South
2 9s 14ft 4in. South
3 12s 3ft 7in. South
4 12s 4ft South
5 11s 7ft 2in. South
Average 9.8s 9ft 5in South
Draw sketch showing average distance travelled by the ball in longshore drift
Section 1
Section 2
