sand - large-grained quartz dune sand from Monastery Beach, Carmel Bay, California - set of two 2-ounce jars

This sand is interesting because of the large size of its quartz grains for a dune sand. Monastery Beach is fed sand immediately by San Jose Creek and by the Carmel River farther north. The longshore current that moves sand from north to south along California’s coast contributes to this beach, but the size and irregular shapes of these grains tells us that the primary source must be a local and not particularly long drainage, most likely San Jose Creek, which feeds the beach directly. Strong westerly wind picks up the sand, moving it to form low dunes at the landward side of the beach. A line of trees and dense shrubbery stops the movement of the dunes before they encroach on Highway 1, the Cabrillo Highway, which parallels the coast here. At its south end, Monastery Beach bumps up against Point Lobos. Question for students: Which is the most likely source of this sand, the Carmel River several miles north, or San Jose Creek and why do you say so? San Jose Creek, because the grains a