GC3RVBP Pilgrim River Delta (Earthcache) in Michigan, United States created by BryttErgang

GC3RVBP ▼

A cache by BryttErgang Message this owner

Hidden : 8/3/2012

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Geocache Description:

Pilgrim RiverDelta

Cache Summary: The Pilgrim River Delta is located off of US 41, Townsend Dr. There is a parking area and visitors will have to take a stroll over the Pilgrim River Bridge and down the boardwalk to get to the delta. By exploring this EarthCache visitors will be able to make observation on how the delta formed and make predictions on how the delta is changing.

Figure 1. Mouth of Pilgrim River at Portage Lake.: Photograph by B. Ergang

Cache Coordinates: N 47° 6.345' W 88° 30.734'
Parking Coordinates: N 47° 6.194' W 88° 30.979'
EarthCache Lesson:
What processes are responsible for the formation of the Pilgrim River Delta?
Formation of river Deltas:
A delta is formed when a stream enters a relatively still water of an ocean or lake, its velocity drops abruptly, and the sediment being carried by the stream is then deposited.

Figure 2. Lena River Delta. Source: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=2704

This eventually causes the channel to become choked with sediment from the slowing water.  The river then seeks a shorter, higher gradient route, resulting in the main channel dividing into several smaller ones called distributaries.  Distributaries carry water away from the main channel and the channel grows into a rough triangular shape. Because of this triangular shape it is called a delta like the Greek letter delta (Δ).Many river deltas however to not have this triangular shape. Differences in the configurations of shorelines and variations in the nature and strength of wave activity result in different shapes and sizes. Large rivers have deltas extending over thousands of square miles.

Logging Your Visit:
To obtain credit for visiting this EarthCache, please email me the responses to the following questions:
Logging Question 1:  Based on what you have learned on the deposition of sediments at a delta.Where are sediments being deposited and how do you know this?
Logging Question 2: After observing how sediments are being deposited what do you think this delta will look like in 200 years?

Earth Science Literacy Principles Big Ideas:
Big Idea 5: Earth is a water planet.
5.6 Water shapes landscapes. Flowing water in streams strongly shapes the surface through weathering, erosion, transport, and deposition. Water participates in both the dissolution and formation of Earth's materials.
Common Earth Science Misconceptions:
A common misconception in Earth Science is that-All Rivers in the northern hemisphere flow south.
Instead rivers flow from higher elevation to lower elevation.  Here, the Pilgrim River flows north into Portage Lake.
References:
Rose, Bill. (2011). Earth Science Institute. Available: http://www.geo.mtu.edu/~raman/SilverI/MiTEP_ESI-2. Last accessed 24th July 2012
Tarbuck, E. J., & Lutgens, F.K. (2003). Earth Science:Ten Edition. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

Essential Features of Classroom Inquiry and Their Variations
Essential Feature	Variations
Learner engages in scientifically oriented questions	Learner poses a question	Learner selects among questions, poses new questions	Learner sharpens or clarifies a question provided by the teacher, materials, or other source	Learner engages in a question provided by the teacher, materials, or other source
Learner gives priority to evidence in responding to questions	Learner determines what constitutes evidence and collects it	Learner is directed to collect certain data	Learner is given data and asked to analyze	Learner is given data and told how to analyze
Learner formulates explanations from evidence	Learner formulates explanations after summarizing evidence	Learner is guided in process of formulating explanations from evidence	Learner is given possible ways to use evidence to formulate explanation	Learner is provided with evidence
Learner connects explanations to scientific knowledge	Learner independently examines other resources and forms the links to explanations	Learner is directed toward areas and sources of scientific knowledge	Learner is given possible connections
Learner communicates and justifies explanations	Learner forms reasonable and logical argument to communicate explanation	Learner is coached in development of communication	Learner is provided broad guidelines to use to sharpen communication	Learner is given steps and procedures for communication

Source: National Research Council. 2002. Inquiry and the National Science Education Standards: A Guide for Teaching and Learning. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.

Image from: http://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih6/inquiry/guide/info_process-b.htm

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Pilgrim River Delta EarthCache

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