. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. "The Back Page" is an update on Sea Grant activities — on research, marine education and advisory services. It's also a good place to find out about meetings, workshops and new publi- cations. For more information on any of the projects described, contact the Sea Grant offices in Raleigh (919/737- 2454). For copies of publications, write UNC Sea Grant, NCSU, Box 8605, Raleigh, 27695-8605. When lightning meets sand on North Carolina's beaches, a striking phe- nomenon takes place. Heat from th
. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. "The Back Page" is an update on Sea Grant activities — on research, marine education and advisory services. It's also a good place to find out about meetings, workshops and new publi- cations. For more information on any of the projects described, contact the Sea Grant offices in Raleigh (919/737- 2454). For copies of publications, write UNC Sea Grant, NCSU, Box 8605, Raleigh, 27695-8605. When lightning meets sand on North Carolina's beaches, a striking phe- nomenon takes place. Heat from the lightning fuses elements in the sand to form glass-like tubes called fulgurites. "As lightning strikes the sand, the electricity runs to the groundwater," explains Lundie Spence, Sea Grant's marine education specialist. "The heat from the electricity actually melts the silica, which is one of the major com- ponents of sand in North Carolina's ; Most sand in North Carolina is com- posed of two minerals—quartzite and feldspar. Quartzite contains the ele- ment silica, which is used to make glass. Fulgurites are rare in the state, Spence says. But specimens can be found. They vary in size and are usu- ally finger-like with smooth interiors and rough, sandy exteriors. You can find fulgurites on high dunes after a rain. Spence suggests searching the dunes of Bear Island and Nags Head Woods. The rain washes away loose sand, uncovering the fulgurites. If you find one, dig it out carefully, Spence says. All fulgurites are collec- tor's items, but larger specimens are more valuable. To make room for new publica- tions. Sea Grant is having a sale. In the coming months, we'll feature some of our popular booklets at reduced prices. If you're a birdwatcher, you may want to order a series of books about colonial waterbirds. Atlas of Colonial Waterbirds of North Carolina Estu- aries (UNC-SG-78-10) has been re- duced from $7 to $5. And its 1983 sup- plement (UN
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookcollectionunclibra, booksubjectoceanography
