Sunday, December 7, 2014

Cabo San Lucas Future Predictions

 Cabo San Lucas's Geography


Cabo San Lucas contains a very unique geography. Not only can the climate be described as arid, but it also features a Mediterranean climate. The southern part of Cabo contains a very dry, desert climate. The northwest region of Cabo may be characterized by the Mediterranean climate, the second part of the Cabo is the Sonora Desert. The desert provides high temperatures, little rainfall, mountainous terrain and cactus like vegetation while the peninsula itself is rich in Mediterranean climate with warm and dry climates.The region of Cabo is extremely hot, humid and affected by hurricanes.

Depecting the Coast Line of Cabo San Lucas
Image from Google

The desert part of Baja California. 
Image from intactnature.com

 Landscape 10,000 Years from Now

10,000 years from now I predict that Cabo San Lucas will continue having hurricanes every few years. Hurricanes have been present within Cabo San Lucas as recent as 2014. A list of Past Hurricanes that have occurred in Cabo San Lucas may be viewed within this link Cabo Hurricane List. Hurricanes occur when five major ingredients are evident. 


1.) A strong Coriolis effect (Usually 5-20 degrees away from equator),
2.) High sea surface temperature
3.) Few changes in wind speed
4.) Lots of water vapor (in low levels)
5.) Convergence


Growing Hurricanes
Hurricanes extract heat, low level warm water is drawn to the center as air rises. As the positive feedback continues to grow it builds from low pressure into a tropical storm, then into a hurricane which may become devastating.


 Image from Professor Allen lecture


Categories
Hurricanes differs in strength and category size.The categories are divided into five categories. The most recent Hurricane that has occurred in Cabo San Lucas was classified as a category 3 hurricane. Meaning that wind reached up to 135 mph, with a storm surge that could have reached 12ft. I predict that as the hurricane categories have increased through looking at past Hurricane patterns, Hurricanes should keep around the category of 3 or expand to higher categories as temperatures of the ocean increase.

 Hurricane Categories
Link above explains in further detail the cycle of a Hurricane.

 
Image above shows categories of Hurricanes
Image from http://ssdstudent.net/SMS/2010_11/krev/web2/hurricane_chart.jpg

My prediction of Cabo continuing to get hit by hurricanes and those hurricanes expanding in their category size seems practical due to past Hurricane patterns and Cabo's Mediterranean location. The future Hurricanes will also destroy hotels and tourist destinations.



Landscape 1,000,000 Years from Now

1,000,000 years from now I predict that Mass Wasting will bring down hotels, and rock formations located on the edges of cliffs. Mass Wasting can occur by falls, flows, slides, and topples. Mass wasting is the down slope movement of angular slope material. Gravity is a key aspect in mass wasting. Because so many hotels are built on the cliff sides and within the mountainous terrain, that leaves them susceptible to landslides and other forms of mass wasting. Cabo San Lucas would be most susceptible to falls, slides, and topples based on its location.



Falls 

Occurs with a steep slope and often undercutting, can be individual rocks or groups. 
 
Flows
Occur when mudflows contain a lot of mud with little rock content. 
 Image above shows more of all mass wasting.

Slides
Occurs when down slope movement occurs along a plane of weakness in the rock.

 
Topples


Slopes erode slowly over time, to slowly for us to see. Within 1,000,000 years though mass wasting could occur and alter Cabo San Lucas's geography and tourist destinations. Some of this mass wasting will be seen soon enough, while topples and falls may occur bringing down hotels and luxury homes. But more of this will occur between 1,000,000 years from now because of Cabo's location and climate.

 
Above image shows a hotel on the terrain.
Image from  tripadvisor.com



Landscape 100,000,000 Years from Now

100,000,000 years from now I predict that the famous rock formations, that bring so many tourists to visit Cabo San Lucas will fully decay. El Arco de Cabo San Lucas is a distinctive rock formations located at the very tip of the city known as Lands End. This signature rock formation is an icon of Cabo. Lands End is where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet. The base of these rock formations are well known for the marine life, coral formations, and tropical fish.



El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, or Lands End, marks the spot where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez at the southern tip of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Photo by Stan Shebs.


The rock formations are made of granite and have been carved by degradation. The result of weathering is the breaking down of rock in place, the decay of rock. Weathering is the beginning of change to the Earths surface. Two forms of rock decay occur with physical and chemical decay. Physical decay is the disintegration of rocks and mineral by a physical or mechanical process. Chemical decay is the chemical alteration or decomposition of rocks or minerals. El Arco, because of its location within the ocean is prone to the physical decay of salt decay due to ocean surrounding and joints which are regularly spaced fractures or cracks in rocks formed from cooling or expanding, faulting/folding/ and tectonics; as well as the chemical decay of hydration (addition/removal of H20 to a mineral). Because of the arcs surroundings and location years of wind and dissolution(mineral is completely dissolved by the water), water erosion(Ocean current). The Rock strusture has already deterioated due to decay, but it will continue to do so until the rock structure is fully erased. The constant invasion of salt water to the rock structure will completely dissolve the famous rock formations, as well as other rocks.









Works Cited


 http://www.destination360.com/north-america/mexico/cabo-san-lucas/el-arco 

 http://www.cabosanlucas.net/what_to_do/the-arch-lands-end.php

 http://www.cabo.com/cabo-san-lucas/

 http://www.cabosanlucas.net/fast_facts/geographical_summary.php


Professor Allen Lectures

Monday, November 10, 2014

Cabo San Lucas and Hurricanes

Climate of Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas as previosuly mentioned in other posts, is a hotspot for vacationers. Cabo San Lucas is featured in Baja California. This long coast South of California features the Sea of Cortez. There are two main geographical systems in Baja California; the first may be known as the Californian region; the northwest characterized by the Mediterranean climate. Near the Sea of Cortez the climate is Mediterranean. Meaning that the climate is very warm and dry with rain expected during the summer, the second part is the Sonora Desert. The desert provides high temperatures, little rainfall,  mountainous terrain and cactus like vegetation. Usually this part of Baja California may be seen while driving from the airport to your hotel in Cabo. The peninsula itself is considered rich in natural resources including tungsten, salt, turquoise, gold veins, and copper beds.  To the Southwest the climate is still considered Mediterranean with the same warm and dry climates but with cool winters; due to its wetland ecosystem(dunes and conifer forests). The southwest and south coasts experience dry conditions with cooler temperatures.

     The desert part of Baja California.          
 image from intactnature.com



Hurricane Odile
In September 13, 2014 Hurricane Odile devastated Cabo San Lucas. At the last minute the storm unexpectedly moved to the east. The category 3 hurricane, the strongest hurricane to hit Baja California knocked out power, closed the airport, and stranded around 30,000 tourists.

 Image of projected hit of Hurricane (Image from Fox News)


News Story based on hurricane Odile and Cabo San Lucas
by KRON 4


Hurricane Structure
The format for a Hurricane consists of five major ingredients including: a strong Coriolis effect (Usually 5-20 degrees away from equator), high sea surface temperatures, few changes in wind speed, lots of water vapor (in low levels), and some convergence. 

Image from Professor Allen Lecture




How a Hurricane Grows
Hurricanes extract heat, low level warm water is drawn to the center as air rises. As the positive feedback continues to grow it builds from low pressure into a tropical storm, then into a hurricane which may become devastating.


Image above shows the eye of a hurricane, as well as the eye wall.
Image from professor Allen Lecture.

The Eye of a Hurricane and the Eye wall
The middle of the hurricane is known as the eye. The eye is usually 20-50km in diameter; usually warm; contains light winds; as well as either clear or broken clouds. The eye of the hurricane is where convergence happens; a cycle of up draft and down drafts. The eye wall of a hurricane contains strong winds and thunderstorms. Latent heat release is key in form of energy, the hurricane extracts heat or energy from the ocean.


Life Cycle of a Hurricane
Link above explains in further detail the cycle of a Hurricane.

Categories of Hurricanes 
 Hurricanes increase in strength and category. There are five categories into which hurricanes may be categorized into. Hurricane Odile was categorized as a category 3 hurricane. Meaning that winds reached up 135 mph with a storm surge that could reach 12ft. including damage to buildings.

Hurricane Categories 
Link above describes the categories mentioned.

 
Hurricane Odile and The Damage Caused 
  Hurricane Odile hit with wind speeds reaching up to 125 mph, causing extensive damage to the city and resorts. An estimated 92% of the Baja region was left without power or water, the biggest electrical disaster in Mexico ( according to the Mexican Electric Company CFE). All tourists stranded in Baja during the storm returned safely after the airport was reopened. Hurricane Odile has been estimated to deliver nearly $1 billion dollars or 12 billion pesos in economic loss. The damage was as devastating as that from Hurricane Wilma in 2005.



 video of hurricane Odile hitting Cabo San Lucas
From TodayNews







Work Cited:
http://www.explorandomexico.com/state/2/Baja-California/geography/

http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/baja.htm

http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/travel/281836521.html

http://www.cabosanlucastours.net/Hurricane_Odile/

Professor Allen Lecture

Friday, October 10, 2014

Rock Decay: El Arco de Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas is well known for its rock formations; in specific El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, a distinctive rock formation found at the very tip of the city known as Lands End (land running down east of downtown Cabo San Lucas and the marina). El Arco de Cabo San Lucas is a signature icon of Cabo and often found on postcards. These arches were once used as a hiding place by pirates,going after merchant ships heading toward the West Coast. This landmark is now draws in a different crowd. Lands End is also where the Sea of Cortez and the Pacific Ocean meet, as well as a popular spot for tourists.The series of rugged rocks in the Pacific, which reaches Alaska's Aleutian Islands, is known by the locals as the Finisterra. The base of the rock formations are well known for the rich marine life, including coral formations,and tropical fish.



 El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, or Lands End, marks the spot where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez at the southern tip of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Photo by Stan Shebs.

 
 These arches or icons, made by granite have been carved by degradation.  Weathering is the breaking down of rock in place, the decay of rock. Weathering is the beginning of change to the Earths surface. Rock decay happens in two main ways: Physical and chemical decay. Physical decay is the disintegration of rocks and minerals by a physical or mechanical process. While Chemical Decay is the chemical alteration or decomposition of rocks or minerals. El Arco, is prone to the physical decay of salt decay due to ocean surrounding and joints which are regularly spaced fractures or cracks in rocks formed from cooling or expanding, faulting/folding/ and tectonics; as well as the chemical decay of hydration(addition/removal of H2O to a mineral), due to the arcs surroundings,years of wind and dissolution(mineral is completely dissolved by the water), water erosion(Ocean current).

 
Shows currents during Hurricane Odile. Rock Decay.


This image above contains correct images except for picture #3. 

Rock decay could happen from breaking into little pieces, decay from the inside, water, or salt. As this picture shows how arches may be made, El Arco de Cabo San Lucas may have been created in a similar way.



El Arco de Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (A natural arch made of granite rock)
 Image via wikimedia



It is illegal to climb the Arch, but viewing the natural wonder is a beautiful sight and highlight of a trip to Cabo San Lucas. These granite structures are amazing in height and beauty.




 




 Sources Used:

 http://www.destination360.com/north-america/mexico/cabo-san-lucas/el-arco 

 http://www.cabosanlucas.net/what_to_do/the-arch-lands-end.php

 http://www.cabo.com/cabo-san-lucas/

Professor Allen Lecture

 

Sunday, September 14, 2014

San Andreas Fault Impact

Cabo San Lucas can be located farther South of California. As we know many map makers were not too clear on how the world looked like, because they didn’t posses all the fancy new things we have now a days. Back in the early 1500’s Baja was depicted as an island. This was later dis-proven by Franciso de Ulloa who was sent by Hernan Cortes to explore the area. Ullola sailed along the Baja California Side, and rounded the tip of Baja California which is now known as Cabo San Lucas. This Baja peninsular, which is separated into two Mexican states (Baja California North, and Baja California South) stretches from near the U.S border to Cabo San Lucas (approx. 747 miles).

  Cabo San Lucas is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean as well as the Gulf of California, which may also be known as the Sea of Coretz. Archaeologists have thought that peninsula which holds Cabo San Lucas had been separated from the mainland of Mexico by means of the San Andreas Fault.  This motion of movement caused the Baja Peninsula to start drifting away from the mainland of Mexico nearly five million years ago. The San Andreas Fault is where the North American plate and the Pacific Plate touch. The San Andreas Fault slices California in two down to the Mexican border. 
  The San Andreas Fault is a transform fault. A transform type of interaction means a side-by-side motion of movement. 
 

This does not mean that there is a huge amount of movement within the fault area, but rather a small movement. Because of this transform boundary many different rocks may be seen. Since the San Andreas Fault is near 28 million years old, rock types from great distances have been discovered where rocks from different locations and origins. Such as the Salinian block of granite (central and northern California originated in Southern California) and some may say northern Mexico.




Sources Used:
 http://geology.about.com/od/geology_ca/ig/safsouth/safsouthredisland.htm
http://geology.com/articles/san-andreas-fault.shtml
http://www.allaboutbaja.com/seaofcortez.html
http://www.americanjourneys.org/aj-113/summary/
http://www.cabosanlucas.net/fast_facts/geographical_summary.php 
 http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/baja.htm
Professor Allen Lecture 

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Introduction

Hi there! My name is Ariana and I am a Elementary Education Major and I am choosing to look further into the geography of Cabo San Lucas. I decided to look into Cabo San Lucas because my moms side of the family is from Mexico and during vacation we like to chose a different spot to vacation at. This past summer we chose Cabo San Lucas, as a quick get away and I was amazed at how beautiful the landscape was. I thought it would be fun to investigate further and have some fun with geography.

I know that Cabo is a huge vacation spot, so it draws in a lot of tourists. A big draw towards Cabo are the beach's, ocean (diving, snorkeling, etc...) and the stunning rock formations!