Constructing a Chronology of Dune Movement

Geology Research Program2008

BY: Sigifredo Pizana

Importance of ResearchImportance of Research

To gain an understanding of past dune To gain an understanding of past dune movement and behavior at Whitefish movement and behavior at Whitefish Dunes State Park in the Door Peninsula of Dunes State Park in the Door Peninsula of Wisconsin.Wisconsin.

To determine periods of increased storm To determine periods of increased storm activity. activity.

To better understand past climate in the To better understand past climate in the region.region.

Dune FormationDune Formation

Dunes are formed when winds blow Dunes are formed when winds blow across a Lake and transport sand.across a Lake and transport sand.

Image source: www.indiana.edu/~g103/G103/Week8/week8.html

Sample LocationSample Location

Two cores where taken in Clark Lake, which is Two cores where taken in Clark Lake, which is located behind the Whitefish Dunes.located behind the Whitefish Dunes.

Storm Winds from the Southeast

ResultsResults

After the sediment samples have been After the sediment samples have been processed, sand is the only thing that is processed, sand is the only thing that is remaining. Then the sand is counted for remaining. Then the sand is counted for each sample.each sample.

The data is put into an Excel spreadsheet The data is put into an Excel spreadsheet and plotted on a graph of grains of sand and plotted on a graph of grains of sand per sample gram versus centimeter depth.per sample gram versus centimeter depth.

Sample GraphSample GraphSand Compostition of Clark Lake core CL08-1

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0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210 220 230

Depth in Centimeters

Grain

s of S

and

per S

ampl

e Gra

m

Large Sand Grains Medium Sand Grains Small Sand Grains

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Hope CollegeHope CollegeDr. LeeDr. LeeAlyson MichnerAlyson MichnerResearch mentor: Dr. HansenResearch mentor: Dr. HansenPeter Van HeestPeter Van HeestKara BarneyKara Barney