SOCIAL PRODUCTION OF A LAKE SHORE ENVIRONMENT: THE CASE OF PRESQUE ISLE, PENNSYLVANIA

The objective of this research has been to combine geology with aspects of physical and human geography to investigate the role each play in the conceptualization of place utilizing the City of Erie and Presque Isle State Park as a case study. Erie, founded in 1795, is situated in the northwest corner of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is located adjacent to Presque Isle Peninsula. Presque Isle is a significant coastal feature found on the south shore of Lake Erie. Geomorphic processes associated with Presque Isle are dynamic, and consequently erosion and re-deposition continuously alter the landform. In response, there has been a wide range of stabilization attempts by government agencies, in particular the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Examination of geomorphic processes has been designed to conceptualize natural lake processes associated with the Great Lakes with specific reference to Lake Erie and Presque Isle, and is designed to illustrate the role physical processes play in the creation and evolution of place. Generalized Great Lake processes have been investigated in order to identify underlying activities associated with landform creation, migration and stabilization. Understanding lake process and associated evolution of shoreline position on Presque Isle has enabled this research to express the social relationship with nature by uncovering the domination of nature manifested in capitalist modes of production.