Geography
Dynamic introduction to coastal change
Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:00:00 GMT
High seas and high winds helped bring coastal change to life for a group of AS-level geography students on a field trip to East Head at the mouth of Chichester Harbour (article here).
The 24 school pupils from Southampton were studying the evolution of coasts under the guidance of experts from the University of Portsmouth, Dr Malcolm Bray, Dr Brian Baily and Dr Alastair Pearson.
Dr Bray and Dr Baily are investigating the past, present and future evolution of East Head Spit, reached on foot from West Wittering beach. The spit, on the eastern flank of the Chichester Harbour entrance, is evolving constantly, including retreating and rotating its orientation. Their research will be used to improve coastal and conservation management and to help judge the impact on coasts of climate change and rises in sea levels.
The students came from Taunton?s College and spent a morning on the beach and an afternoon on campus at the university using Geographical Information Systems to analyse coastal change at East Head using aerial photography from 1946 to the present. Dr Bray said: ?It was a dynamic introduction to the coastal landmark of East Head. The students witnessed coastal geomorphological processes in action.?
This visit took place as part of our G2U programme, bringing geography to the wider world. If your school or college is interested in a visit from a member of the geography staff please contact Dr Alastair Pearson via: alastair.pearson@port.ac.uk
For more information on East Head see the CHC web site and search for East Head:
http://www.conservancy.co.uk/