I love this column! I have a geologic bent so naturally enjoyed the descriptions and history. I have hiked the spit a couple of times and also spent a week (working) at the New Dungeness Light Station which gave me hours to explore and enjoy the environment. The description of "Attorneys at the Beach" is the best explanation I have seen for those terms. Bravo!
One of my favorite places too. The future is a good question. Already moderate storms wash over the width of the spit, and there are places that look permanently lowered, like it might get cut into pieces. But it's such a dynamic place maybe it gets built back up. Erosion from the bluffs that build the spit is speeding up also.
A few miles east, North Beach at Port Townsend has stones of jade delivered by the glacier from somewhere in Alaska. On any day there are rock hunters pecking around on North Beach, which is eroding rapidly. The sands hold lots of mystery. Not long ago a mastodon bone fell out of the receding bluffs.
Tod, I corresponded with a couple of coastal geologists both of whom made the point about the likelihood of sea level rise leading to more erosion on the bluffs west of the spit, which could lead to long term, or at least somewhat longish term, growth in the spit.
So far as I know the growth of the spit continues linearly eastward. The lighthouse used to be at the end, now there's another quarter mile spit beyond it. But as sea level rises, does the elevation of the spit rise with it, or does the spit just keep getting longer. You've probably seen those low places where the water washes over the spit into the cove in storms. I haven't been out there yet at a really high tide to see what that looks like.
I love the word play, David!
Awhile ago here on San Juan they had a "Flotsam" Flea Market; should have been "Jetsam"...
Thanks kindly.
Waves..."Washing over pebbles, allowing me to hear the lithic chatter."
What a beautifully crafted sentence. Thank you!
Thanks kindly.
I love this column! I have a geologic bent so naturally enjoyed the descriptions and history. I have hiked the spit a couple of times and also spent a week (working) at the New Dungeness Light Station which gave me hours to explore and enjoy the environment. The description of "Attorneys at the Beach" is the best explanation I have seen for those terms. Bravo!
Now I just need to try and remember the differences I wrote about!
Flotsam, Jetsam, Lagan, and Derelict-Attorneys at Law. I don't recommend them.
Also, wondering, since the free Elwha has rebuilt the beach at its mouth, perhaps that would beef up the spit?
Jenny, thanks for our note. It's my understanding that Elwha sediments feed Ediz Hook, which blocks the material from making it to Dungeness. DBW
So lyrical! Very enjoyable column, David. BTW, I have a twin sister photo to Andy's of the Spit
Thanks for your kind words.
One of my favorite places too. The future is a good question. Already moderate storms wash over the width of the spit, and there are places that look permanently lowered, like it might get cut into pieces. But it's such a dynamic place maybe it gets built back up. Erosion from the bluffs that build the spit is speeding up also.
A few miles east, North Beach at Port Townsend has stones of jade delivered by the glacier from somewhere in Alaska. On any day there are rock hunters pecking around on North Beach, which is eroding rapidly. The sands hold lots of mystery. Not long ago a mastodon bone fell out of the receding bluffs.
Tod, I corresponded with a couple of coastal geologists both of whom made the point about the likelihood of sea level rise leading to more erosion on the bluffs west of the spit, which could lead to long term, or at least somewhat longish term, growth in the spit.
So far as I know the growth of the spit continues linearly eastward. The lighthouse used to be at the end, now there's another quarter mile spit beyond it. But as sea level rises, does the elevation of the spit rise with it, or does the spit just keep getting longer. You've probably seen those low places where the water washes over the spit into the cove in storms. I haven't been out there yet at a really high tide to see what that looks like.