News Updates
by marco
- TripAdvisor travelers voted Roatan a top destination
by marco
Tree fixed the cleat that was ripped out during one the the storms. If this one rips out him and PJ agree the boat will have a new way to enter the water. Or the whole will flip over. Up next the bumpers are being replaced. Rumor has it the boat will get a whole new redesign after easter. So, just one more thing. Wait and see.
by marco
Just updated our Twitter site with a new look.
by marco
Our main page seems to have been quite static these days. Maintaining an online presence is a full-time job. We have been busy between fun diving and teaching courses on updates to several of the social media outlets. One such outlet, is the blog which is being updated by Rags. We are dedicating more resources to updating other sites such as Twitter and Facebook. Thank-you for your input and see you soon.
by marco
by marco
Thanks to Vickey Sare for the research. She's our "in-house" Geologist.
What is Ironshore? Lonely Planet says, “The jagged black shoreline formation Bay Islanders cal “ironshore” is actually elevated fossil coral reef dating back more than a million years to the Pleistocene epoch. This limestone composition is more commonly known as karst.” That pretty much nails it – but there is more to the story.
“Karst” is a blanket term for all the features that result from solution of a limestone terrain. That solution occurs because limestone slowly dissolves when exposed to fresh water, such as rainwater, which is slightly acidic. Calcite, the main mineral in limestone, does not dissolve in seawater. But karst includes many different landforms – caves (like Carlsbad Caverns), towers as in Vietnam and China, and cenotes (sinkholes), most famous in the Yucatan and Florida, to name a few.
The ironshore karst is a special type, both in terms of its texture and origin. First, texture - it is a black, random spongework of pits, jagged ridges and pointed pinnacles. It is developed in a narrow strip just above the tide line on ancient limestone rocks. If you break off a piece, you will see that the black color is present near the surface and it grades to gray inside. Second, origin - it is being dissolved largely by algae, bacteria and fungi so it is often called “biokarst.” These tiny (microscopic) organisms bore into the rock and dissolve the calcite crystals. They are most dense within a centimeter or so at the surface, causing the black color. Why this results in the characteristic macro-texture is not fully understood, but you always see the two elements together so they must be linked somehow. It is clear that proximity to the marine environment is key. Maybe the splash, spray and mist from the waves breaking provide just enough moisture to sustain the algae.
So, when you travel around the Carribean, look at the rocky shoreline, if it is limestone, biokarst may be well developed. The most famous occurrence is at a place called Hell on Grand Cayman. I have seen it in the San Blas Islands of Panama, the Bahamas and Bonaire. It has also been reported from Morocco, Hawaii and Ireland (in caves). Pretty cool, isn't it?
A bit of a diversion - just inshore from the ironshore strip, the same limestone is light gray and forms a smoother, lumpy terrain with visible coral heads and marine shells. You can even identify common modern coral species in the rocks; there is a beautiful pillar coral at Cocolobo just to the left of the tables on the way to the pool, check it out. This ancient limestone reef was deposited more than 1.25 million years ago when the sea level was relatively higher. You can find this Pleistocene limestone throughout the Caribbean from the Bahamas to Bonaire. While it is likely that the global climate was warmer during this period (glaciers must have melted); the region's climate must have been similar to today's to support the coral growth. Interesting, isn't it?
Rumor has it that the guys at Bananarama are telling divers that the ironshore around toward Pablo's Place is lava from a volcano. While there are some visual similarities to lava (black, irregular surface), that is probably not the case. If it was lava, there should be a volcano in the vicinity, usually directly connected to the lava via a flow that follows topography from the source. While there are volcanic rocks in Honduras (you can see a nice volcanic peak on the mainland skyline), I did not see evidence of recent volcanism on Roatan. If it is ironshore, it follows the coast and the source is the sea – it is limestone, not the basalt rock that makes up lava. To prove it - drip weak hydrochloric acid on the rocks – with basalt, nothing happens, on limestone it fizzes as it quickly dissolves the calcite. That is the ultimate defining test. When Will and I come back, maybe we can all go dive over there and check it out ourselves.
Well Marco, I hope this is interesting to you and that you are having a fabulous time in your tropical paradise! Drop me a line from time to time and tell me of your amazing adventures and sightings. Regards to all on the deck.
Cheers - Vickey
by Natasha
Can't get enough of the happenings at CTD? Check out our blog an inside look at what the Coconutters are up to this week.
by wwelbourn
Congratulations to Justin, Alex, Lee and Kristen for passing the PADI Instructor Exam, 100% first time pass rate continues!
by natasha
It took eight long years, but we finally managed to make Will a "cake" for his birthday! He took it in stride (although he was surprised!) proving that course directors really do have a sense of humor. Me thinks he was caught unaware because today is the first day of the Instructor Exam for his four IDC candidates (Alex, Lee, Kristen & Justin). Better luck next year, buddy! Happy birthday from all your Coconutters. Oh and here's a link to the video. You didn't think we'd forget to post it, did you?! ;) http://t.co/3mKBb2S
by marco
Taken by Lee Hinkle. A great experience to have it swim right up to us.
