Friday, December 15, 2006

The Sea Takes Back Her Own . . .

While taking my daily walk down on and around the Manhattan Beach Pier I noticed a big change in the geography. Where there had been a gentle slope to the beach there now appeared a sheer cliff.

When I inquired at the Roundhouse Aquarium on the end of the pier, Eric (above) explained to me what had happened. It seems that in the winter the waves are much stronger as they come crashing in. They pound the sand and the ocean develops a very strong undercurrent taking a great deal of sand with it as it reclaims some of the sand that it had washed up on the shore during the summer months.
During the year, many schoolchildren visit the Roundhouse Aquarium to view the many specimens that are on display in the many tanks, and Eric is there to share his vast knowledge of sealife with the wide-eyed youngsters. Thanks, Eric.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

"and the ocean develops a... strong undercurrent taking a great deal of sand with it as it reclaims some... that... had washed up on the shore during the summer"
Arthur, I think Eric is telling us it's a cyclical thing, so we'll see the sand come back and the beach shallow out this summer.