Wednesday 3-10-2004
Dr. Stephen Hildreth

(click on pictures for larger versions)

Coastal Plain: Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Kiawah Island is a barrier island near the coast of South Carolina, in the Atlantic. The sand consists of quartz, biotite and feldspar (not pure quartz because the beach is relatively close to the mountain source). Sand bars off-shore will eventually dock onto the beach, replenishing it.

	The Atlantic Ocean surf at Kiawah Island.
	Artificial dunes offer protection from storms for buildings located close to the beach.
	A seastar, one of the many living creatures dependent on a healthy coastal plain for their existence.