CORRELATION OF SEDIMENTARY STRUCTURES IN DAVENPORT, CA

This project presents a novel new technique for sampling sedimentary structures, on the beaches of Northern California. The area of interest is Davenport Landing, in Davenport, CA, roughly 11 miles north of Santa Cruz, CA. The main beach is a cove, where the outer edges of the beach are much less sheltered from storm events; specifically the turbulent waves of the Pacific Ocean. Samples will be taken from each area and compared. This beach is of interest because of the cove environment, tectonic activity, structural geology and steep incline shelf. Also the high energy environment, demonstrated by the wave breaks on the beach, which would result in an area of higher deposition during storm events. Due to the steady high energy of this beach, it may be possible that mud drapes would not develop, as they need a low energy environment. However, in the event that they do develope, mud drapes give more insite into the changing energy levels. The research will investigate the variations in sedimentary structures within the same beach. Correlation of direct wave impact vs. cove environment in regards to sedimentary structures is also investigated.