Through My Eyes, In My Words:

Coral Reefs and Caves: The Geology of the Bahamas

Taught by Dru Germanoski, Dr. Ervin R. VanArtsdalen ’35 Professor of Geology and Environmental Geosciences, and Kathryn A. Schubel, assistant professor of geology and environmental geosciences

Sara Kreisel of North Bellmore, N.Y., is a Trustee Scholarship recipient pursuing two degrees, a B.S. in biology and an A.B. with a major in art. Vice president of Hillel Society, she is a member of the executive board of Arts Society and sings in the Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers. She’s founder and president of Ceramic Society and a member of Biology Society, Hispanic Society, Association of Lafayette Feminists, QuEST (Questioning Established Sexual Taboos), and Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

By Sara Kreisel ’07

It was a very tough choosing whether to stay home during frigid January or visit the Bahamas for two weeks! (The Bahamas won by a slight margin.)

As a biology major I have no need to satisfy additional lab requirements and I have not done anything with geology since studying earth science in eighth grade, so this course was to be a whole new experience. To be honest, I was pretty worried about doing well, but as it turned out this was an unnecessary concern.

We were told from the beginning that the course is not for someone expecting to spend all the time sunbathing on the beach (but we hoped the professors were exaggerating). Every day was spent doing something new and exciting; sunbathing did happen, but rarely. For this and other reasons, this trip was not for the weak of body or the weak of mind.

The trip consisted of a week on San Salvador Island staying on an old navy base that had been converted into a research center, 100 feet from the beach and gorgeous turquoise water. The second week we spent on Andros Island at a dive resort, just 20 feet from the beach.

On San Sal we spent some half-days snorkeling, other days climbing along beaches, climbing the lighthouse (to see the landscape created by the windblown sediments), and some caving, too! On Andros Island we snorkeled on a barrier reef and a wreck site. We also had some cultural mornings where we visited local basket weavers and a famous wood carver. We studied the tidal flats of Andros and had the best mud fight, which ironically enhanced our understanding of the area.

The best day was when we took a two-hour ride to Jolter’s Cay: sand bars almost entirely composed of ooids (round sand-sized sediment unique to about four places in the world). We arrived just as low tide was approaching. Not only did we see the land “rise” up from the ocean, but the site that remained after the water retreated was spectacular. I spent time collecting shells here, and it was so enjoyable and relaxing.

This trip gave me a unique experience and view into the islands of the Bahamas. Nothing that I did could ever be done by the typical visitor. I really learned about the calcium carbonate platforms of which the islands are composed, and I have a much greater respect for the need to conserve water. (Take this course and you will understand what I mean.)