Given the unique challenges in quantifying the extensive, yet variable impacts of Hurricane Sandy at Fire Island, we used a time series of beach profile data at Fire Island, New York, to define a new contour-based morphologic change metric, the Beach Change Envelope (BCE).
The BCE represents the portion of the upper beach that is likely to undergo direct storm wave impacts and respond in the subsequent days, weeks, and months after the events. Changes in BCE width and BCE height are extracted from the pre- and post-Hurricane Sandy profile time series and found to coincide well with established states of recovery. By capturing and tracking these distinctive changes in upper beach morphology at each state, the BCE offers a new way of characterizing beach response and recovery cycles at Fire Island and similar sandy coastal settings.
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
Back-barrier and Estuarine - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
Oceanside Beaches and Dunes - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
Open Ocean/Marine - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
Nearshore - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
- Overview
Given the unique challenges in quantifying the extensive, yet variable impacts of Hurricane Sandy at Fire Island, we used a time series of beach profile data at Fire Island, New York, to define a new contour-based morphologic change metric, the Beach Change Envelope (BCE).
The BCE represents the portion of the upper beach that is likely to undergo direct storm wave impacts and respond in the subsequent days, weeks, and months after the events. Changes in BCE width and BCE height are extracted from the pre- and post-Hurricane Sandy profile time series and found to coincide well with established states of recovery. By capturing and tracking these distinctive changes in upper beach morphology at each state, the BCE offers a new way of characterizing beach response and recovery cycles at Fire Island and similar sandy coastal settings.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Beach profile schematic showing positions of BCE metrics including Zu, Zl (calculated BCE bounding values), BCE width, and BCE height which is calculated by comparing the BCE portion of the profile to a planar profile surface (solid red line). Credit: Owen Brenner , USGS
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Examples of observed beach morphology changes (A) and beach profile data highlighting the BCE morphology at each post-storm recovery stage (B). Credit: Owen Brenner , USGS
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Conceptual beach profiles illustrating how BCE captures distinct values of BCE height and BCE width at each of the four recovery states. Credit: Owen Brenner , USGS
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.Alongshore BCE recovery state progression from October 2012 to September 2015 showing general trend of post-Sandy recovery along western and central Fire Island. Credit: Owen Brenner , USGS - Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
Fire Island is a 50-km long barrier island along the south shore of Long Island, New York. The island is comprised of seventeen year-round communities; federal, state, and county parks; and supports distinct ecosystems alongside areas of economic and cultural value. In addition to providing resources to its residents, the barrier island also protects the heavily-populated mainland from storm waves...Back-barrier and Estuarine - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
Regional-scale modeling forecasts how atmospheric forcing and oceanographic circulation influence estuarine circulation and water levels, sediment transport, and wetland change.Oceanside Beaches and Dunes - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
Oceanfront research at Fire Island, New York, is primarily focused on understanding the long- and short-term behavior of the ocean-facing terrestrial barrier island system, including human influences. The USGS has had ongoing research activities on Fire Island since the late 1990s, providing science to help inform management decisions. Recent efforts include monitoring the response to and recovery...Open Ocean/Marine - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
Geophysical mapping and research have demonstrated that the seabed on the inner continental shelf has a variety of shapes which are linked to long-term evolution of the barrier island. Regional-scale modeling forecasts how atmospheric forcing and oceanographic circulation case sand, gravel, and other materials to be transported by tides, winds, waves, fresh water fluxes, and density variations.Nearshore - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York
The nearshore is the submerged portion of the shoreface between the inner shelf and the shoreline and includes the surf zone, where waves break. Along with beaches and dunes, nearshore morphology and geology adjusts to changes in waves, sediment supply, human alterations, and sea level rise. By measuring nearshore morphologic and geologic variations, we can understand how quickly beaches and dunes... - Publications