Tillicum Beach Geology

I should know more…Geology was my minor in college.  But that was eons ago and it’s more of a hobby now.  Seeing evidence of God’s power in the creation of the earth has always fascinated me.

hole in the layer

Cliffs like those on Tillicum Beach are great for showing thousands, if not millions, of years of history…I guess…actually, I don’t know how long it took to form this sandstone.  It is relatively soft stone.

Clay Bowl

I like imagining what caused the different shapes to form between the layers.  It would also be cool if someone, more knowledgable than I, explained it to me though.

Red Scribbles

The intriguing thing to me about designs like those ‘Red Scribbles’ is that they aren’t 2 dimensional.  I’d love to see what the 3-D shape is!

Layers of sand and clay

I know clay is made up of different minerals than sand.  But what happened, on this spot, when and how long, to make these layers?

Softer layers - more sensitive to erosion of the waves

You can see how quickly the waves break them up.  Everyday is different.

Different Colors

Wow!  Love that one!

On another subject…look what I found today!

Tillicum Teeter Totter

No, I didn’t set that tree on the boulder.  I mean, I work out but I’m not THAT strong. 

Tillicum Sand Comparisons

We’ve been workamping here, at Tillicum Campground, for over a year this time.  The last time we spent a winter here our slideouts on our 5th wheel leaked. I dreaded getting out of bed and stepping on wet carpet!  But the leak is fixed now.  My hubby is the handiest guy I know.  He can fix anything!  Everytime I get up in the morning, and step on dry carpet, I feel so blessed!  (But I digress.)

I found some photos of when there was more sand on the beach so I could show the comparison to now.

North Stairs - Nov 20, 2011

That is the north stairway when the sand first started washing away in November.  Before that, the sand was level with the bottom platform of the stairway.  Next is how it looks today.

North Stairs - Jan 25, 2012

Next is a photo of the south stairway on New Year’s Eve, then today.

South Stairs - Dec 31, 2011

If you blow it up (click on the photo) you can see the 3rd flat boulder from the steps in each photo.  In the top one, it’s the last one before the soft sand.  In the bottom one, there’s another large, flat, boulder then smaller rocks before the soft sand.

South Stairs - Jan 25, 2012

Now, check this out.  This photo is from last February.  Notice that the black layer, in the cliff, is just above the soft sand.

Damaged Shoreline - Feb 16, 2011

Look at where the black layer is in this next photo.  The soft sand level has dropped at least a couple feet.  I think that’s the same boulder in front; just changed shape from weathering.  The soft sand has washed off a horizontal layer of a harder sandstone or clay layer.

Damaged Shoreline - Jan 25, 2012

One more comparison.  These next photos are taken at the south end of the campground, down by the rock house.  You can see the fence on the ledge that separates Tillicum Campground from the private property.  As a reference point, notice the one, long, root just above where the cliff avalanched.

Cliff Face - Feb 1, 2011

Look for those same reference points in this next photo that was taken today.

Cliff Face - Jan 25, 2012

And the only driftwood left on Tillicum Beach today is up in these little coves (or MY stairway).  But look at the change in the soft sand level in the little cove by the rock house.

Cove by rock house at south end of Tillicum Campground

All kinds of little treasures wash out of the cliff.  I wonder what caused this formation, and how many millions of years ago!?

different hardness of sandstone

Look at the damage a single stick can do!  Well, with a few whopping waves whipping it awound. 

Cliff Erosion