In films, we often see vintage-looking cars driving down highways alongside a coast, leaving the viewer to ponder what that must feel like– the wind in your hair, the salty air against your skin, and the ultimate feeling of freedom. This is what I see in my mind when I think of coastlines. More specifically, Big Sur in central California is a prime example of this fantasy. The way the highways assert themselves against the stupendous cliffs reminds me of the 1990s band, Hole, and their song “Malibu” since its sound took inspiration from California and its beaches. As a result, this is why I took it upon myself to explore chapter 12 of the online textbook by Salt Lake Community College, An Introduction to Geology, titled “Coastlines”, which…show more content… Longshore Current refers to a current made when waves arrive on land in between the process of waves washing back into the sea. Not only that, but in between these processes, Longshore Drift occurs following the waves that move the sand around. This drift results in the creation of “spits”, which are bars formed when the coast changes direction. This can be an inconvenience, which has led states to develop methods, like jetties and groins, to help maintain their harbors and protect seaside properties. Additionally, Chapter 12 introduces the kinds of coasts we might find when the land and sea meet. For instance, the textbook explains that “emergent coastlines occur when land towers above the sea as a result of tectonic uplift”. In situations like this, the wave can erode the base of these coastlines and create arches and cliffs, giving the coastline an ethereal look. On the other hand, the textbook explains the second type of coastline, submergent coastlines. This process is inverse to that of emergent coastlines. Submergent coastlines are a result of sinking land that allows for the sea to spill into this sunken area, creating sites like tidal flats and…show more content… Similarly, tides are also influenced by an external factor. Chapter 12 shares that tides rise and fall as a result of “the gravitational effects of the Sun and Moon on the oceans” (Affolter, Matthew D., et al). While the sun's mass gives it an advantage in gravitational force, the moon’s proximity to the earth gives it an advantage in how it influences the sea. Not only that, but their respective locations, including Earth’s position, determine the height of a tide, which generates numerous types of tides around the globe. As mentioned before, looking at Big Sur brought me a lot of pleasure as it greatly reminds me of some of the imagery depicted in some of my favorite music, but what exactly is it? See Monterey, an online travel planning site that focuses on destinations surrounding Monterey, California, describes Big Sur as “a majestic stretch of rocky cliffs, lush mountains, panoramic beaches, and coastal redwood forests (plus the Big Sur River) located off the famous Pacific Coast Highway” (“Things to
