 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Culburra Beach Sand Layers Following Wildfires

   July 02, 2022


    Ash in Sand 2

   Photographer:  John Lupton
   Summary Author:  John Lupton

   The photo above was taken two and a half years after major
    wildfires on the east coast of Australia (late 2019 through to
   early 2020) burned approximately 65,600 sq. miles (70,000 sq. km.).
   It’s estimated that over a billion mammals, reptiles and birds were
   killed. The south coast of New South Wales and eastern coast of
   Victoria were particularly hit hard. During that time, rivers in the
   region had a floating layer of blackened leaves and ash that washed
   down to the sea. From personal experience, it was nigh impossible to
   swim or see the bottom in normally crystal-clear waters.

   The  Shoalhaven River flushed down significant sums of ash to the
   sea. On the photo, captured at  Culburra Beach in New South Wales,
   note the clear line of ash deposit, between sand layers, that were laid
   down during this wildfire episode. Erosion, because of the denuded
   landscape and also from extreme surf conditions as a result of an
    east coast low pressure systems, removed over 80% of the beach’s
   sand, exposing these layers. The upper layer relates to the 2019~2020
   wildfire, while the lower relates to a lesser fire season in February
   2017. These sand cliffs, though revealing very recent wildfire history
   nonetheless demonstrate the impact of the fires on the local
   environment and are a pointer to their lasting impact for years to
   come. Photo taken on April 4, 2022.
     * Culburra Beach, New South Wales, Australia Coordinates: -34.9305,
       150.7580

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Geology Links

     *  Earthquakes
     *  Geologic Time
     *  Geomagnetism
     *  General Dictionary of Geology
     *  Mineral and Locality Database
     *  Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness
     *  This Dynamic Earth
     *  USGS
     *  MyShake - University of California, Berkeley
     *  USGS Ask a Geologist
     *  USGS/NPS Geologic Glossary
     *  USGS Volcano Hazards Program

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   Earth Science Picture of the Day is a service of the  Universities
   Space Research Association.

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