Images

Aerial images of the wilderness breach: a) Aerial photograph taken several days after Hurricane Sandy (photo credit: NOAA); b) Aerial mosaic of the breach in June 2015 showing the location of erosion on the ocean side of the breach and deposition that results in the seasonal formation of a spit.

Extreme storms can drastically increase water levels and wave energy causing a breach, or complete erosion of the island itself. Hurricane Sandy created a breach in the Otis Pike High Dunes Wilderness Area at Fire Island National Seashore in NY.

Hurricane Sandy leveled dunes and moved eroded sediment from the dunes and beach across the island and into the estuary (Great South Bay) at Fire Island, NY.

An aerial view of Dauphin Island, Alabama, shows a thin strip of road partially covered by sand, with undeveloped beach in the foreground and developed beach in the background.

Scientists used a core from this Massive Starlet (Siderastrea siderea) coral colony in Dry Tortugas National Park to reconstruct ocean temperatures going back to 1837. Photo: USGS

A USGS diver beside a Massive Starlet (Siderastrea siderea) coral colony in Dry Tortugas National Park. Scientists used a core from this coral to reconstruct ocean temperatures going back to 1837. Photo: USGS, May 2012

Photo collage showing researchers on 3 marine field trips. Left, photo of back deck of geophysical survey vessel during collection of bathymetry and seismic data; center, equipment tripod on deck of R/V; right, 2 researchers sit before computer monitors reviewing data as it is collected.

Oblique aerial photographs of Hatteras Village, NC, from May 6, 2008 (top, pre-storm) and August 30, 2011(bottom, post-storm, acquired three days after landfall of Hurricane Irene). The yellow arrow in each image points to the same cottage.

The Along-Track Reef-Imaging System (ATRIS), deployed from an adjustable pole mounted to the side of a boat, can provide scientists with information about the condition and type of seafloor.

Oblique aerial photographs of Ocracoke Island, NC, from May 6, 2008 (top, pre-storm) and August 30, 2011 (bottom, post-storm, acquired three days after landfall of Hurricane Irene). The yellow arrow in each image points to the same feature. Overwash deposits of sand extend over the road after the storm.

Upper image: Oblique aerial photograph near Rodanthe, NC, looking south along the coast on August 30, 2011, three days after landfall of Hurricane Irene. Center: Oblique aerial photograph of central part of upper image from May 6, 2008, pre-storm; and August 31, 2011, post-storm. The yellow arrow in each image points to the same cottage.

Upper image: Oblique aerial photograph of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, NC, looking north along the coast on August 30, 2011, three days after landfall of Hurricane Irene.

Post Hurricane Irene: Beach state after Hurricane Irene showing the exposure of a groin from loss of beach elevation (foreground) and beach and dune scarping due to elevated water levels (background).

During Hurricane Irene, sand eroded from the beach and dunes was transported landward, burying a walkway near the Fire Island lighthouse.

Oblique aerial photograph near Rodanthe, North Carolina, looking south along the coast on August 30, 2011, three days after landfall of Hurricane Irene. 

Christina Kellogg and David Zawada using SCUBA gear to sample the microbiomes of corals at Loggerhead Key, Dry Tortugas, Florida. Chris Kellogg studies corals to understand coral heath and potential diseases. 

U.S. Geological Survey scientist collecting elevation data on the bluff of Alaska’s north coast.

Eider duck eggs in a nest on Arey Island, Alaska. 

The large white radar dome is a former Distant Early Warning Line site, which sits atop a permafrost bluff on Barter Island, Alaska.

Top: Big Bay along the Long Beach trail, looking east along the Long Beach trail on Big Pine Key, Florida (FL). Note the angled shape of the vegetation caused by salt pruning from the prevailing sea breeze. Bottom: Red mangrove on the Long Beach trail, looking east along Long Beach trail on Big Pine Key, FL. Red mangroves provide critical coastal protection.

Sea Level Rise, Subsidence, and Wetland Loss. This video describes causes of wetland loss in the Mississippi River Delta. Rapid land subsidence due to sediment compaction and dewatering increases the rate of submergence in this deltaic system.