The Atlanta area recently received nearly six inches of rain over one night. Several days later, when I was hiking on the greenway, my gaze lingered on these designs created by the water. How is the soil moved to form ridges and valleys? Is there a mathematical pattern? What do you wonder?

This photo was taken at the beach last year.

According to the Geology Page, “Ripple marks are sedimentary structures and indicate agitation by water (current or waves) or wind. They form perpendicular to the wind direction and each ridge is roughly equidistant from the ripple mark on either side. The symmetry of water-current ripple marks indicates whether they were formed by gentle waves or faster water currents.” Click here to read the entire article.

What do you notice about how the water is moving in this photo?

Do you see the ripple marks in the Bermuda grass?

Take and print a photo of ripple marks. Then trace over the ridges with a marker and notice patterns and symmetry.