Outcrops and Evidence of Weathering and Erosional Processes
Outcrops can be usually discussed as the results of the combined effects of weathering and erosion on the surface. As a result, the rock is broken into pieces because of weathering, and its parts are removed because of such erosion processes as the wind and rainstorms. Having examined and discussed the coastal areas of California, it is possible to note that the erosion of rocky outcrops is most the typical process for these territories. Such evidence of weathering and erosional processes as different types of exfoliation is observed in Santa Cruz, California. The weathering and erosional processes influenced the forms of the rocks in Santa Cruz significantly. The rock is broken as a result of the physical power of waves and winds, and the sedimentary layers can be easily observed while focusing on the rocky outcrops in this region.
Erosional Problems in the Coastal Areas of California
The coastline in California is characterized by sandy and rocky areas the lines of which are constantly changing because of the erosion effects. The possible causes of the negative processes are the rise of the sea level and the damaging effects of human activities. As a result of these processes, the sandy shorelines and rocky coasts in California are eroded because of the range of physical and biological factors. California’s soft cliffs are eroded with winds, and sedimentary rock areas are eroded with the power of waves which change the coastline significantly.
The problem is in the fact that the Californian coast is populated, and the human factor plays a significant role in the discussion of the erosional problems. Thus, the human factor influences the geological processes, and the population of California also suffers from the negative effects of the erosional processes. For instance, the eroded cliffs can cause housing damage and problems with communications. The rising sea levels and the increases in the intensity of winds, cause more damages related to the erosional processes in California. If the erosion of rocks causes the changes in the coastline without affecting the population, the effects of erosional processes on sands and soft cliffs are more significant for the population of California.
Bluffs in Santa Monica
While walking Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica, it is possible to note the evidence for the effects of the erosional processes on the bluffs. The most typical examples are different types of exfoliation noted there. The bluffs can be discussed as possibly causing landslides in these areas. The causes of these examples of the weathering and erosional processes are the negative effects of wind and rainstorms. The problem is in the fact that the bluffs are unstable because of the decades of the weather negative effects. The discussed bluffs and cliffs are made of sands and gravelly materials, which can be heavily eroded and cause landslides. The modern forms of the bluffs can also be discussed as the results of previous landslides. That is why the sedimentary layers that form the remarkable bluffs of Santa Monica move as a result of wind and water erosion. The materials forming the bluffs cannot resist the energy of the water and wind storms while causing the variants of exfoliation which can be observed from Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica.