Alongshore features, such as the position of the dune crest and shoreline, are typically used to measure storm impacts and recovery. Impacts from Hurricane Sandy were so substantial to these features, however, that USGS researchers were provided a unique opportunity to develop new techniques to capture and monitor both storm impacts and recovery.
Beach Elevation Profiles
Elevation profiles were surveyed one day prior to Hurricane Sandy, immediately after, and resurveyed through 2017.
Beach Change Envelope
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.
Research
Research on the various componenets of the Fire Island system is being conducted at multiple USGS Centers and across projects.
At Fire Island, a stable upper beach region is particularly important for vehicle traffic, recreational use, and wildlife habitat. Beach profiles from fifteen locations along Fire Island were used to track changes in the width and height of the beach. The Beach Change Envelope (BCE) is the portion of the upper beach profile where storm impacts and post-storm recovery are most easily observed under 1–5 years. By tracking changes in beach height and width, we use the BCE to characterize the magnitude of storm impacts and degree of recovery through time.
Beach Profiles
As part of the assessment of beach and dune morphologic change associated with Hurricane Sandy and the continuing efforts to track post-Sandy recovery, differential global positioning system (DGPS) elevation data are collected along 15 shore-perpendicular profiles extending from just inland of the crest of dune to the low-tide swash zone.
Beach Change Envelope
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).
Predicting Future Beach Change
The modeling approach, a Bayesian network, uses statistical methods to estimate probabilities of predicted outcomes based on existing observations. Bayesian networks are easily updated with new data or observations making this approach ideal for use in coastal systems that experience rapid and frequent changes.
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
Alongshore features, such as the position of the dune crest and shoreline, are typically used to measure storm impacts and recovery. Impacts from Hurricane Sandy were so substantial to these features, however, that USGS researchers were provided a unique opportunity to develop new techniques to capture and monitor both storm impacts and recovery.
Beach Elevation Profiles
Elevation profiles were surveyed one day prior to Hurricane Sandy, immediately after, and resurveyed through 2017.
Beach Change Envelope
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.
ResearchResearch on the various componenets of the Fire Island system is being conducted at multiple USGS Centers and across projects.
At Fire Island, a stable upper beach region is particularly important for vehicle traffic, recreational use, and wildlife habitat. Beach profiles from fifteen locations along Fire Island were used to track changes in the width and height of the beach. The Beach Change Envelope (BCE) is the portion of the upper beach profile where storm impacts and post-storm recovery are most easily observed under 1–5 years. By tracking changes in beach height and width, we use the BCE to characterize the magnitude of storm impacts and degree of recovery through time.
Beach Profiles
As part of the assessment of beach and dune morphologic change associated with Hurricane Sandy and the continuing efforts to track post-Sandy recovery, differential global positioning system (DGPS) elevation data are collected along 15 shore-perpendicular profiles extending from just inland of the crest of dune to the low-tide swash zone.
Beach Change Envelope
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).
Predicting Future Beach Change
The modeling approach, a Bayesian network, uses statistical methods to estimate probabilities of predicted outcomes based on existing observations. Bayesian networks are easily updated with new data or observations making this approach ideal for use in coastal systems that experience rapid and frequent changes.
- 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