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Jody
E.G.D.Weekend’s Rock!
Posted by Jody on February 24, 2013
Riprap along the Galveston Seawall and beach, Texas Gulf Coast
I simply love learning about beachy things! Just a few weeks ago, I came across a new-to-me shoreline term: riprap! Riprap, riprap. Isn’t that a fun word to say? Somehow it makes me think of the nick-nack-paddy-wack song.
~So sorry for the Sunday morning earworm! Really, I am!
“What exactly is riprap?” you ask. Also known as rubble, shot rock, rock armour and often spelled rip rap or rip-rap, it’s the permanent cover of rocky material (frequently granite or limestone) used to defend shorelines and shoreline structures against erosion. On the Texas Gulf Coast you can find riprap protecting seawalls, jetties, and bridge supports. It’s designed so that the rocks absorb, deflect, and/or dissipate the impact energy of waves (think tropical storms and hurricanes). The spaces between the stones are useful in trapping and slowing the flow of water, thereby reducing its ability to wash away coastal soil and structures. Alternative rock at its best!
Riprap along the Quintana Jetty (Quintana Beach County Park in the background), Texas Gulf Coast
A closer look at the Quintana Jetty riprap
Everybody sing!
♫ With a rip-rap-paddy-wack
Waves against the stone
This old gal came strolling home! ♫
~~~~~
Wingclipped said
Wow – we pass so much of the stuff on our walks and I have nenver heard of the word before! Thank you!
Jody said
You are so very welcome! Now I’ll be looking even closer at your photos. 🙂 I learn so much from your posts!
Southern Sea Muse said
Love the word, but especially love the rhyme!
Jody said
Aren’t you the sweetest?! Thanks for putting a smile on my face!
Enchanted Seashells said
I love that word too! hubs taught it to me, it’s so fun to say!
Jody said
We really are two of a kind! 🙂
Enchanted Seashells said
Seriously! Here’s another favorite word of mine…Maserati. I dont konw anything about cars, I just like to say it. Mazzzerati. fun.
Jody said
Also a good one!
diggingher said
Love this!
diggingher said
I also want to say that I so enjoy this blog…all the sand, waves, sun and water…always makes me smile:)
Jody said
How kind. Now I’m smiling too. Thank you so much!
kiwiskan said
That last shot looks a bit like fossilized wood
Jody said
Interesting! We were surprised at how varied the rocks were. There was so much to look at (and look for) all along the jetty.
Marianne said
This is my neck of the woods, and I will admit that Galveston is not the prettiest pearl in the necklace of beaches. But it has a lot of history behind it, and is the proud owner of the beautiful 19th century ship, the Elissa.
E.G.D. said
I agree! I also quite like the area ^_^
Jody said
The Elissa is grand! And the Tree Sculpture Tour is lots of fun. We like to take it on foot.
44b – Cliff End to Fairlight Cove | The Coastal Path said
[…] must gratefully acknowledge Jody for the word riprap; I had never heard of it before she drew my attention to it. I have been […]