Jack Millard Earth
Science
Research Paper 5-22-14
Carnivorous Sand Dunes
Last
summer, on the shores of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, a six-year-old boy by
the name of Nathan Woessner was consumed deep into the sand. When help finally
arrived, they had to dig the boy out of 11 feet of sand. Later this part of
lake Michigan was closed by the parks service due to several more holes
springing up here and there. These holes have proved both dangerous to
beachgoers, and baffling to scientists.
Close to
the site that took Nathan was a professor of geosciences named Erin Argyilan.
After being at the incident where a person was sucked straight into sand, she
wanted to research the phenomenon. These hole sink very fast as if there is a
pocket of air under a thin layer of sand, and go down so deep, some scientists
couldn’t measure them with the tape measures they carried. These whole will
later reform and fill in, within about one day. The geologists studying these
holes claim that they are different from quicksand, which is a mixture of
water. Quicksand is also different fro these holes because they slowly trap
animals and humans and drag them down, but these holes happen instantaneously.
These geologists also claim that dry quicksand is also possible and has been
made under controlled conditions, but it has never been found in nature before.
Later the
National Parks Service worked with the Environmental Protection Agency to use
ground-penetrating radar (GPR) so try to better understand these holes. They
found that underneath the layer of sand was soil. This soil was exposed to the elements
during the 1900’s, which may have caused weakening. The whole area was at one
point mined for sand for the creation of glass jars. But this still doesn’t
fully explain why pockets are randomly forming around the beaches. Old
photographs from the 1930’s reveal that the area was at one point covered with
trees and grass. The organic structures were presumably buried and may have
deteriorated, leaving empty pockets in the sand. The true answer to why these
holes are occurring is unknown but the NPS is still working to find out
why.
This story
is very relevant due to the fact that this is the first time that this
phenomenon has ever been recorded. These holes have the capability to capture
and even kill people and animals, so it is important to learn about them, and
possibly stop them from harming people both here, and around the world. Though
this beach is still closed, if it wasn’t, there could have potentially been
similar incidents to Nathan’s fall. This affects society because it not only
shut down the local beach of an entire community, but also could potentially
occur in other places, having similar or worse consequences than what has
happened on the shores of Lake Michigan.
The article
was well written and presented in an easy-to-read manor that explained the
topic well to someone who has little to no knowledge on the subject. The
article also had a good sum of information of the event. However, the author
neglected to provide background information on the topic ion general. If I had
to change one thing, it would be to have more background information on these
geological occurrences.
Lallanilla, By Marc. "Mysterious 'Man-Eating' Holes
Appear in Sand Dune."LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 28 Apr. 2014. Web. 22
May 2014.
William Rabsey
ReplyDeleteThis current event was very well written. I enjoyed the way in which you explained and gave insight as to what these holes were, how they formed, and how they were different from normal quicksand. I also enjoyed the fact that you asked the reader a question as to why these holes are popping up, regarding the area’s history. Lastly I thought the way you explained the signifance of these holes, and how they could affect society was well presented. An example being the danger that these holes present to humans and animals alike. After reading the article I found it interesting that these holes where not the quicksand that they could be thought to be, instead they are something completely different. They are not filled with water, but instead have hypothetical air pockets. I also find it interesting that these holes were formed from the deterioration of brush and debris, as I was unsure as to how these may have formed. In relation to these holes forming, they seem to appear, disappear, and reappear, what causes them to do this baffles my mind. This review could have been improved by doing outside research and finding some background on this phenomenon, and included it in the review. Also be sure to proof read it as there were grammar issues.
Hi, Jack. Great choice for your article! What really prompted me to read this current event was the title--Very clever! I find it particularly amazing that no one has recorded this phenomenon before. It makes me think of all of the other unknown aspects of earth that can be potentially harmful to humans and animals. I thought your relevancy paragraph was spot-on, because without insight about these "carnivorous sand dunes," humans would be prone to stepping into spots that could potentially kill them. We need to know about harmful threats to find a way to protect important species. Additionally, if we had not learned about these sand dunes, eventually they may pop up in local areas' beaches. I also thought that you explained the formation of the sand dunes really well. The pockets forming in the sand, and the soil underneath help the reader paint a picture of what they look like. It especially interests me that the sand dunes are not related to quicksand, since they happen instantaneously while quicksand is slower. Like William said above me, the review could have been better if there were not grammatical errors, and a little more explanation about what happened to the boy. Was he alive when the help came to dig him out of the 11 feet of sand? Also, the fact that the holes go so deep that it couldn't have been measured baffles me! I hope the NPS figures out why these are occurring soon. Overall, I think you did a great job on choosing your article and conveying the overall message of it.
ReplyDeleteJack, i was very fascinated by the article you chose. To start off, I liked how you explained the difference between quicksand and these "Carnivorous Sand Dunes". Another thing i liked about your review was how you explained the danger of the holes and how it has affected our society (beginning with the story of the six year old boy). Lastly, I liked how you went into the back story with how the area used to look. One thing that grabbed my attention was how this was the first time it ever being recorded! Also the explanation of the difference between quicksand and these holes grabbed my attention. One thing I would improve on is the original story or your introduction. Were people there when it occurred, how long did it take for the boy to be saved. To conclude, you did an amazing job reviewing this article
ReplyDeleteHello Jack, this article is really cool. I think it is awesome how there are always things even scientists can't even figure out. You made it very clear to me that no one really understood it, but you also gave some reasons and theories. I also very much appreciated the topic. Right from the start you hooked me in with that awesome article title. Then you went on to tell me a story of the "carnivorous dunes" at work. Its amazing how just sand with air pockets underneath can be so deadly. Overall you did a really nice job telling a good story and explaining the possible science behind it.
ReplyDeleteJack, I thought you current event was very well written and interesting. I thought you explained the difference between quicksand and the sand dunes extremely well. Especially, your explanation of the difference in how quicksand and these sand dunes form.I found it fascinating and horrifying how these sand dunes are a danger to our society. The story about the 6 year old boy is extremely terrifying and interesting. However, I found the fact that we have never noticed these before intriguing because it brings up the question of how many things we do not know about the world. Also the explanation of the difference between quicksand and these holes grabbed my attention. I think you should build upon your intro especially on the story about the boy. I think you missed some key details but it was captivating. Overall I really enjoyed your current event and have found a new interest in these “Carnivorous Sand Dunes.”
ReplyDelete