Blowout! EarthCache
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Blowout!
Blowouts are sandy depressions in a sand dune ecosystem
caused by the removal of sediments by wind.
Photos by 501 Gang
Blowouts occur in partially vegetated dune-fields including continental dunes as well as coastal dunes. In either case, a blowout forms when a patch of protective vegetation is lost, allowing strong winds to "blowout" sand and form a depression. Although they generally remain small, blowouts can expand to kilometers in size and up to around 70m in depth.
Causes of vegetation loss include extended droughts, fire (natural and anthropogenic) or, in extreme cases, trampling by humans, cattle, horses, etc. Fire is the most common cause, however. In time, succession will begin again as suitable seeds are blown in and pioneers become re-established.
Coastal sand dunes are found just inland from a beach, and are formed as the wind blows dry sand inland beyond the beach. It follows that this can only happen when there is an area of reasonably flat land inland from the beach. In time, this rather inhospitable surface will be colonized by pioneer species. These species (e.g. marram grass) will stabilize the dunes and prevent them moving any more.
Five 1,000± year old trees unburied due to the blowout
The blowout shown here is located at the Indiana Dunes State Park on trail 9.
There is the standard gate fee to enter the park ($4 weekday, $5 weekend, $10 out of state).
Parking coordinates - N 41° 39.560 W 087° 02.960
Enjoy your walk to the blowout and the beautiful views as you walk the rim.
To be able to log this cache, when you get to the blowout,
look to the east and you will see the trail sign across the blowout.
Go to the sign and take a waypoint.
Then email me the distance between the two points.
Also post a picture of yourself / group at the blowout.
(Failure to do so will result in a removal of your log)
Please email me your answers, I don't like the message center so I won't be using it, thanks.
** Please note: The DNR has asked that cachers stay on the trails, do not enter into the blowout itself because of the rare and sensitive species that occur there. Logs mentioning or photo's showing cachers off trail will be deleted.
Also, the trail running from the top of the blowout down to the lake is an ILLEGAL Trail, Please do not use it! **
Congratulations to LRAC on the FTF!
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)