'Shocking' erosion of sand dunes in Prince Edward Island National Park due to Fiona
The scale of sand dune erosion in Prince Edward Island National Park due to post-tropical storm Fiona is "shocking" and has dramatically changed the landscape of some beaches, Parks Canada says.
Jennifer Stewart, external relations manager with Parks Canada in P.E.I., said the storm has caused the most severe coastal erosion she's seen since she began her career in 2000.
The erosion is particularly significant at Dalvay Beach, she said, where dune systems used to block the view of the water from the nearby roadway.
"There was a dune system. It's completely gone, and now the road is eroding away," Stewart said in an interview.
"It is shocking. It completely changed the look of the landscape in this area."
The post-tropical storm left a trail of destruction across Atlantic Canada, stretching from Nova Scotia's eastern mainland to Cape Breton, P.E.I. and southwestern Newfoundland.
Stewart said the loss of dunes is troubling because they act as a natural barrier in protecting shoreline from the impact of storms and ocean swells.
"Luckily, coastal ecosystems are very dynamic," Stewart said. As sediment is washed back on the beach, vegetation, such as marram grass, will catch the sand to develop new dunes.
"As this happens, marram grass will spread its roots under the surface of the sand, creating a living web to hold the sand in place," she said.
While sand dunes are likely to reform, this process takes years, Stewart said. In order to encourage growth, she said, people should avoid the area where the dunes were to avoid disturbing the vegetation.
Another victim of erosion caused by Fiona was the frequently photographed sea-stack rock formation known as the Teacup Rock at Thunder Cove Beach.
Bruce Stewart, who lives a short drive away from where the teacup once sat in New London Bay, has been an avid photographer of the distinctive rock structure.
"Unfortunately all that's left there now is a bit of the pedestal," Stewart said. "The saucer, if you like."
On his countless visits to Thunder Cove Beach, Stewart said he's met photographers and tourists from all over the world snapping shots of the teacup.
Stewart said the loss of the landmark doesn't compare to Fiona's destruction of homes in Atlantic Canada, but he said it's still "devastating."
"What was so special about the teacup is that it was a natural formation. It wasn't something that somebody went and crafted," he said.
The lamented teacup joins the former Elephant Rock, which drew thousands of tourists over the years to Norway, P.E.I., on the Island's northwestern tip until it also fell victim to the elements in the late 1990s.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 27, 2022 and was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.