Rias, Beaches, and Tombolos!

An image from Google Earth shows the Presqu'île de Quiberon as it acts as a buffer for the coast of Carnac. The west side of the peninsula is know as the Côte Sauvage, or "savage coast" for its vicious winds and waves.

Traezhenn (Beach) 

As time passes, rough waves smack against the western side of the Presqu'île de Quiberon peninsula and, as a result, the land erodes. Such processes, however, leave fascinating scars such as Sea Stacks and Sea Arches. These lumps of rock that indicate to where the ancient coastlines once extended. They were created as the sea nibbled away the softer rock, leaving behind the “almost-island of Quiberon.” Drastic tides, caused by the pull of the moons gravity on the eraths oceans, and strong winds push the waves to the edge of the land when the water enters a more peaceful bay. After each visit, the water deposits bits of rock and crushed shells to from soft sand beaches and Tombolo to reconnect the “island” of Quiberon.

The Sea Arch found on the Côte Sauvage. Only the bravest of surfers use the waves here because the dangerous waters are strewn with rock and ancient Sea Stacks that are invisible at high tide.

Stêr (River)

Another beautiful feature in the Morbihan is the Ria. The ocean floods the Auray River and makes it and excellent location for a safe harbor. The river was flooded as the sea level rose, but at high tide the river is especially brackish and creates an interesting ecosystem for certain salt-resistant hygrophytes. The river meanders from the North passing through Auray and Brech, until it becomes a strait anthropogenic river. The purpose of this channel is to allow boats to travel further inland. In the 1900s, it was used to facilitate the transportation of goods to inland cities.   

Auray River (Ria) at high tide... The area looks much different at low tide...

Fin! Have a Great Summer!!

Works Cited: 

http://photos.linternaute.com/photo/1084169/1233881895/1325/cote-sauvage/

http://bretagne.wifeo.com/megalithes-delile-de-groix-port-navalo.php

"En Bretagne, il ne pleut que sur les cons," is a phrase commonly used towards those who complain about Bretagne's rain,it literally translates to, "In Brittany, it only rains on idiots." (In other words: "Get used to it, or get out.") But what are the processes that bring these clouds, rain, fog, moderate seasons, and luscious green forests?

(It's not spittle...it's just water... falling!!!)

 Koumoulenn! (cloud)

The Cirrocumulus clouds that float at more than 6000m are formed when convection occurs. The water droplets then proceed to cool very quickly and may eventually freeze into ice crystals to form Cirrostratus clouds. 

Photo by Itzel-Marine Gourmelon
Breton Summer Sky

Avel (wind)    

The convection conditions (that helped create the Cirrocumulus clouds above) were a result of the daytime sea-breezes blowing cool air onshore (from high to low pressure) over the comparatively warm land. Bretagne lies right on the convergence of a High pressure cell and a low pressure cell, constantly stirring the air around.

Avel & Dour= Koumoulenn

Just like in San Francisco, northern Bretagne often has advection fog. As warm Westerlies clash with the cool ocean currents a coastal fog bank eerily creeps above the water. The fog only occurs when Dew Point is reached and the moist air is cooled from below.
Photo by Itzel-Marine Gourmelon

Hañv/Goañv  (summer/winter)

As mentioned in a previous blog, Bretagne is at 47˚N. Despite the high latitude (equivalent to Nova Scotia), Bretagne has moderate Summers and Winters. In this case, the North Equatorial Current, Gulf Stream, and North Atlantic Drift keep the region warm; and, the north western winds (known as "noroît" in French, and "gwalarn" in Breton) keep the region cool. 

Arnev (storm) diorren (develop) Gwezenn Forest*  (tree forest)

*(redundant, I know, but the word "forest" lacked zing) 

One of my favorite aspects of Bretagne are its beautiful green forests. Mid Latitude Wave Cyclones bring the storms that keep the land moist and ideal for luscious forests. The Coriolis effect, jet streams, collision of cold and warm air masses, the ocean's moisture, and the warm currents all create ideal conditions for these storms.
Photo by Itzel-Marine Gourmelon

 Den (human)

Bretagne has a long history of sailors. This is unsurprising as the region consists mostly of coast; but, now, with an understanding of the winds and currents that surround the area I understand the reason War was so often waged against the Bretons by mainland France. The strategic of the location as a main port of worldwide trade through much of the middle ages allowed France to become a powerful country.

Fin! 

Works Cited: 

http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/hprofile-ak-snc4/41786_18399284581_1886_n.jpg  

Mor (sea) + Douar (earth) = Faout (crack)

Above: A ship crashing into the penetrating granite rocks along the coast.

Once again,

 I invite thee to a feast for the ears (assuming you enjoy Breton music).

Also: There are some very lovely images that may or may not be watched.

i. Granitic Tafoni!

ii. Gnamma pits

iii. Joints

iv. Nature takes back its granite from humans

v. springs

If degradation winning over diastrophism means the region is a safe place to live, then Bretagne equates to stability. The region has long slowed its violent building process, and is now in a stage of erosion. 

(1) 

Above: Giant pink granite tafoni.
My mother and father wonder along the rocks.
Photo by Itzel-M. Gourmelon

(2)

Above: Gnamma pits form in the pink granite. 
A mini ecosystem has begun thrive in the comfort of this pit. 
The tip of my shoe at the bottom of the image gives a scale.
Photo by Itzel-M. Gourmelon    

Moreover, roots often infiltIndeed, simply by looking at the coast’s rocks, you can notice granitic tafoni (1), gnamma pits (2), as well as fissures, or joints(3). Each form is violently pounded by the salty water regularly; and, depending on the way the water and salt seep into the granite, each formation is given its distinct appearance.

(3)

Above: Nestled comfortably between two fissured rocks, this house
uses the granite to protect it from harsh weather.
Photo by Itzel-M. Gourmelon

Moreover, roots often infiltrate themselves into the joints and further break the rocks apart (4). 

Both images above: These little buggers (the plants) are inserting
their roots through the fissures in the rock.
These innocent looking little plants
 do a mighty job at breaking this sturdy looking granite.
Photos by Itzel-M. Gourmelon

However, erosion is not obvious only on nature’s scattered rocks; but, also on the granite used on homes, buildings, and megaliths nibbled away by the weathering from salts and lichens (5). 

(5)

Above: This house once had a clear coat of arms of the family inhabiting it. Today, however, the house is in disrepair and the lichens have taken over the rock.
Photo by Itzel-M. Gourmelon

The Bretagne’s granite is significant to the Breton’s history, from prehistoric petroglyphs to Catholic carvings(6), but also to the peril many sailors faced in the dangerous rocks that would too often penetrate the hulls of their ships (as represented in the image at top).   

(6)

Above: The megalith has a petroglyph. Most of the remaining petroglyphs are seen on the rocks of Tumulus (burial sights- or intact Dolmens).

The springs of Bretagne are some of my favorite aspects of the region(7). They carry much ancient religious significance for the druids and, later, the Catholic Church. Both religions believed in the healing power each individual spring possessed. The springs could not exist without Bretagne’s ancient hills and high water table.

(7)

Above: In this 17th century Catholic spring dedicated to St. Barbara,
 the water is clear and frigid as it bubbles out of the earth.
This image displays both a spring and the rock
 being eaten away by the roots and acid
 of the lichens and moss.
Photo by Gaëlle Gourmelon

Above: EXTRA (hooray!): This beautiful Hortensia bush indicates the P.H. of the soil. When the flowers are blue, the soil is acidic. However, when they are a deep pink the soil is alkaline. If the flowers are white, the soil is neutral.
The same bush may have two or three different colors.
Photo by Itzel-M. Gourmelon

Fin! 

Works Cited:

http://www.bookpalace.com/acatalog/SmithJSPorquoiPasLL.jpg

http://cdn.wn.com/pd/a7/47/db6bf492f0dfe8261972afedbbb2_grande.jpg

Breizh!: time to explore the physical geography of Carnac and its surrounding region, Bretagne!

(Here is a little local music to get us in the mood!)

( Bretagne has the temperament of crotchety, old, Irishman with its rocky hills and long winter nights. However, the land has been twisted and pulled for billions of years, giving us river valleys and beautiful granite rock formations.)

 i. Why does Bretagne have wonderful long summer days, and long dark winter nights?

ii.Why is Bretagne, and consequently, Carnac where they are today?

iii. Why are there little mountains in central Bretagne?

iv. What main types of rock are found in the region?

v. Hmm, that's an interesting looking river valley just north-east of Carnac... I wonder why it's there...?  

Photo by Itzel-Marine G. 2008

The earth’s tilt allows the poles to alternatively receive the full sunlight during their summers. Bretagne, is at a higher latitude than Nova Scotia in Canada at: 47˚34’41”N 3˚05’12”W  By being so far North, Carnac is affected by long summer days and long winter nights. But, what shifted Bretagne into its current place? First, as Dr. Allen mentioned in class that our "best guess is that convection runs throughout the mantle," to move the tectonic plates; which in turn, crack, melt, and pull to create the geography we see today. Through the tectonic process ancient mountains from the Paleozoic age, called the Monts d'Arrée, formed hogback mountains as the land folded together and eroded; and, simultaneously, rivers formed in the anticlinal valleys washing away the sedimentary rock and leaving behind granite and gneiss that had been formed by the extreme heat and pressure.

The rough, stony land; the high latitude; and windy coastal location have made living in this region difficult. Crops are hard to grow as the sandy, granite stridden earth is far from ideal. However, the rivers spread across the land have allowed these tough people to survive the tough conditions of this northern coastal area. 

( Left: The image depicts that Bretagne is nowhere near a major fault line nowadays. This, however, does not mean that France has not been shoved around just as much as some other countries in the world, as shown below by the video) 


(Please pause the music above for the full effect of the video!)

(Above: The hogback mountains of the Mont D'Arrhée)

(Above: The numerous rivers and folded aspect of the land can be observed.)

Photo by Itzel-Marine G. 2009

(The Menhir are made from the local felsic, intrusive rock known as granite. The purpose of the upright stones has not yet been discovered, but it is assumed they are for religious purposes.)

Photo by Itzel-Marine G. 2009

(Left: The sand-bridge built by my cousin and me, is nestled between two granite boulders at the beach.)

Fin!

Citations:
http://fast.ucdenver.edu/case/1202/Battle/Build/PlateTectonics/platesUSGS.gif
http://www.ogre3d.org/tikiwiki/img/wiki_up/Latitude_PSF.png
http://www.fond-ecran-image.com/galerie-membre,france-bretagne,sortie-en-mer-le-8-mars-2007-082jpg.php
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Bretagne_region_relief_location_map.jpg