Rising Seas and Stronger Storms Threaten Barrier Island Systems
New study models projected overland flooding, groundwater depth, shoreline change, and vertical land motion at Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina
New study models projected overland flooding, groundwater depth, shoreline change, and vertical land motion at Cape Lookout National Seashore, North Carolina
Intensified Coastal Hazards from Climate Change on U.S. Southeast Coast
New study highlights increased flooding, coastal erosion, subsidence, and rising groundwater hazards
New study highlights increased flooding, coastal erosion, subsidence, and rising groundwater hazards
Marine Mineral Formations in the Arctic Ocean Challenge Existing Geologic Theories
Haunted Seismic Data, Ghostbusted by Science
USGS-designed tools remove “ghost reflections” from seismic data
USGS-designed tools remove “ghost reflections” from seismic data
Remote-Sensing Large-Wood Storage Downstream from Reservoirs After Dam Removal
USGS-developed AI model tracks distribution of woody debris along Elwha River
USGS-developed AI model tracks distribution of woody debris along Elwha River
Investigating Relationships Between Deep-Sea Invertebrate Communities and Marine Minerals to Inform Resource Considerations
Effects of Climate Variability on Coastal Erosion in the Pacific Northwest
The Role of Coral Reefs in Coastal Erosion
Wildfire and Extreme Rain Intensify Erosion and Sediment Flow, USGS-led Study Shows
Uncovering 14,000 Years of Seismic Activity in Northern Cascadia
Restoring Coral Reefs for Coastal Hazard Risk Reduction in the U.S. Virgin Islands
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
We conduct multidisciplinary scientific research in the coastal and offshore areas of California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, and other US Pacific Islands; and in other waterways of the United States.
What We Do: Coastal and Marine Science at USGS Santa Cruz
What We Do: Coastal and Marine Science at USGS Santa Cruz
Get an overview of the coastal and marine research conducted by the USGS in Santa Cruz, California in our downloadable booklet.
Research Projects
Research Projects
Read about our science projects, find out where we are working, and discover the reasons why our research matters.
News
New flood hazard products to support coastal climate adaptation planning in Humboldt County, California
New flood hazard products to support coastal climate adaptation planning in Humboldt County, California
Perspective: California’s Coastal Challenges Amid Climate Change
Perspective: California’s Coastal Challenges Amid Climate Change
Rising Seas and Stronger Storms Threaten Barrier Island Systems
Rising Seas and Stronger Storms Threaten Barrier Island Systems
Publications
Shoreline change of western Long Island, New York, from satellite-derived shorelines
Shoreline measurement techniques using satellite-derived imagery can provide decades of observations of shoreline change. Here we apply these techniques to the western south shore of Long Island, New York, which has three distinct beaches, Rockaway Peninsula, Long Beach, and Jones Beach Island, which are 18, 15, and 24 km in length, respectively. These beaches are recreation areas for...
Predicted exposure of communities in southeastern United States to climate-related coastal hazards
A rigorous analysis of 21st Century multi-hazard exposure for U.S. Southeast Atlantic coastal communities indicates that up to 70% of residents will be exposed daily to shallow and emerging groundwater by ~2100, 15 times higher than from surficial flooding alone. This threat further exacerbates other coastal stressors, such as flooding, subsidence, and beach erosion, that impact these...
California State Waters Map Series—Benthic habitat characterization in the region offshore Humboldt Bay, California
Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) geoform, substrate, and biotic component geographic information system (GIS) products were developed for the California State Waters of northern California in the region offshore of Humboldt Bay. The study was motivated by interest in development of offshore wind-energy capacity and infrastructure in Federal waters offshore...
Science
Coastal Wetland Vulnerability to Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise: Understanding Ecological Thresholds and Ecosystem Transformations
Eighteen USGS coastal scientists from all four coasts of the conterminous United States are working together to advance the understanding of climate change and sea-level rise impacts to coastal wetlands.
By
California Water Science Center, Chesapeake Bay Activities, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Florence Bascom Geoscience Center, Great Lakes Science Center, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Western Ecological Research Center (WERC), Western Geographic Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center , Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Habitat Vulnerability to Climate Change: Identifying Climate Change Induced Mass Mortality Events Across Large Landscapes of the United States
USGS researchers will characterize extreme climatic events across U.S. following a review of case studies of mass mortality events associated with climate extremes including drought, precipitation, freeze, heat waves, and storm events.
Eyes on Earth Episode 120 – Mapping the California Coastline
Coastline erosion can change your favorite beach. But it can also affect highways and buildings. Landsat, along with high-resolution data, can be used to model the past and predict the future of changes caused by sea level rise and coastal erosion.