A virtual fieldtrip on the coastal geomorphology of Naxos Isl.
Summary
This virtual fieldtrip takes place on Naxos Isl., Cyclades, Greece. The coastal zone of Naxos is diverse, mainly due to the lithological variety and tectonics that have affected the wider region. The north, east and south coasts of the island consist mainly of marbles and schists, while the west coasts are formed mainly on alluvial deposits and granodiorite. Naxos lies in an area characterized by relatively low seismicity and the absence of large earthquakes. The evolution of its coastal zone during the Holocene has produced a number of coastal lagoons, dunes, tafoni, beachrocks and notches, making the island ideal for training students in coastal geomorphology issues.
This virtual fieldtrip focuses on the evolution of Naxos coastal zone, discussing topics such as Holocene relative sea level changes, palaeogeographic reconstructions as well coastal hazards, such as erosion and tsunamis, aeolian environments, such as the development of coastal dunes, anthropogenic pressures on the coastal environment and adaptation measures.
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Context
Audience
The activity is addressed to university students (undergraduate and graduate), who have a basic background in geology, geomorphology or physical geography. Depending on the study level, more advanced activities are used during the fieldtrip, including coring techniques demonstration, mapping underwater geomorphological features, DGPS mapping, Drones, etc.
Skills and concepts that students must have mastered
Students should be familiar with the basic processes of coastal geomorphology, have a basic knowledge on Quaternary sea level changes.
How the activity is situated in the course
ςεThis field activity has been developed over a course of years through a number of training schools. These educational activities aimed at training young scientists in the field, by taking up the role of researchers and interpreting their results with the help of trainers. During the training schools, students participated in a number of field activities, such as sediment sampling, coastal mapping using new technologies, study and interpretation of coastal evolution.
Naxos Isl. has been studied by our team for more than 20 years. It may be a stand-alone activity or in the context of a course related to coastal geomorphology.
Activity Length
The duration of this activity is approximately 1 week.
Goals
Content/concepts goals for this activity
The goal is for students to broaden their knowledge and experience on topics of coastal and underwater geomorphology and palaeogeography, by educating them on relative sea level changes during the Holocene and their traces in the field, on geomorphological coastal mapping, on analyzing sediment cores, on the development and evolution of coastal dunes.
Higher order thinking skills goals for this activity
After the completion of this activity students should have acquired skills on analyzing coastal field data, interpreting coastal features, evaluating the evolution of coastal areas, understanding the anthropogenic pressures on the coastal zone and what appropriate adaptation should be.
Other skills goals for this activity
- ςεTeamwork
- health and safety for the field activities and the coring implementation
- time management by evaluating how time-consuming some field activities may be and be able to schedule on time.
Description and Teaching Materials
This activity includes a virtual fieldtrip and a corresponding guide, which can be used in combination that students are better acquainted with the study sites and have a better understanding of the geomorphological evolution of Naxos Isl.
To visit our virtual fieldtrip, follow this link.
To view and download the detailed fieldtrip guide, click here.
For more details on the geoenvironment of Naxos island visit our story map!
Technology Needs
No particular technology is necessary for this activity.
Assessment
The assessment of students is commonly achieved through a brief presentation by student groups, discussing one of the visited sites, its main geomorphological features, their interpratation and its evolution during the Holocene.
References and Resources
The story map is devoted in the geoenvironment of Naxos and can provide an very useful insight into the basic geomorphological features of the island and the evolution of its coastal zone during the Holocene.
References:
Evelpidou, N., Pavlopoulos, K., Vassilopoulos, A., Triantaphyllou, M., Vouvalidis, K., Syrides, G., 2010. Yria (western Naxos island, Greece): Sea level changes in Upper Holocene and palaeogeographical reconstruction. Geodinamica Acta 23, 233–240. doi:10.3166/ga.23.233-240
Evelpidou, N., Melini, D., Pirazzoli, P., Vassilopoulos, A., 2012. Evidence of a recent rapid subsidence in the S–E Cyclades (Greece): An effect of the 1956 Amorgos earthquake? Continental Shelf Research 39–40, 27–40. doi:10.1016/j.csr.2012.03.011
Evelpidou, N., Pavlopoulos, K., Vassilopoulos, A., Triantaphyllou, M., Vouvalidis, K., Syrides, G., 2012. Holocene palaeogeographical reconstruction of the western part of Naxos island (Greece). Quaternary International 266, 81–93. doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2011.08.002
Evelpidou, N., Melini, D., Pirazzoli, P., Vassilopoulos, A., 2014. Evidence of repeated late Holocene rapid subsidence in the SE Cyclades (Greece) deduced from submerged notches. International Journal of Earth Sciences 103, 381–395. doi:10.1007/s00531-013-0942-0
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