Learning is a Beach – Literally!

The CCSU geomorphology class (GSCI 424) visited the eastern Connecticut shoreline on Saturday November 4. After initial stops along the way in Middletown and Haddam to discuss the post-glacial development of the Connecticut River, the class drove to Bluff Point State Park. Along the mile-long walk from the parking lot to the coast, they observed glacial landforms and discussed glacial processes and the reason for the general alternating sandy beach-rocky headland nature of the Connecticut coast.  At the Bluff headland (above) they recognized pegmatites in the granites and viewed and discussed more glacial features and headland erosion.  On the way back to the van, the group walked the Bluff Point beach along the spit, observing a distinct grain-size fining trend, beach cusps, beach ridges, and a washover fan. 

But wait there’s more. On to Hammonasset State Park where the class observed the Ledyard glacial end moraine at Meigs Point. The rest of the trip entailed completion of a beach profile (below) and longshore drift exercise.  All-in-all, a very pleasant day spent outdoors.