Alfred Wegener and Continental Drift
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater discusses the role of Alfred Wegener in bringing together a variety of evidence in support of the theory of continental drift.
Due West: Ventura, California Marina
The Ventura, California marina was built in the 1950s with little or no understanding of the dredging that would be necessary to counteract the accumulation of sediment underwater. As a result the harbor has not functioned effectively for much of th...
On the Coast: Living with Erosion and Sea Level Rise
While the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are considered to be relatively gentle coastlines, erosional problems can pose problems in these areas, just as they do on the west coast. In Massachusetts, for example, the combination of erosion and sea level ris...
Coasts Are Arbitrary
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater notes that the line between oceans and continents, commonly known as the coast, is actually very arbitrary and subject to change over time. She also talks about implications of global warming for coastal regi...
Making the Pieces Fit: Coastlines and Jigsaw Puzzles
The scientific work that would eventually lead to the Theory of Plate Tectonics began with observations that the coastlines of Africa and South America are strikingly similar.
Due West: Point Mugu Naval Air Station
Restoration and protection of the Point Mugu, California wetlands has been a great success story, despite the challenges associated with agricultural runoff and other by-products of urbanization.
Due West: Malibu Coast, The
The Malibu coast is plagued by serious erosion problems-especially landslides. Given that coastal erosion is an unavoidable fact of life, the focus in this fabled community is not so much on stopping it, but finding ways to live with it. These inclu...
Due West: Aliso Creek
Aliso Creek, located in Orange County, California, has a consistent beach pollution problem due to rapid development of the upstream environment. As the watershed has been largely paved over, the water is prevented from soaking in and filtering natu...
Early Evidence of Continental Drift
Geophysicist and geologist Tanya Atwater points to the jig-saw puzzle fit of Africa and South America as the most obvious evidence supporting the theory of continental drift.
On the Coast: Coastline Changes Over Time
Whatever a coastline's shape today, it was probably different yesterday, as it will no doubt be tomorrow. Coastal zones are among the most dynamic areas on Earth, subject to a host of factors that make every coast a work in progress.