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Other Storm Impacts - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York

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By St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center May 6, 2019

Since the late 1990s, USGS has been conducting research to quantify the impact from other hurricanes and nor'easters on the beaches and dunes at Fire Island.

Extratropical storms, commonly called nor'easters, are powerful events that occur during the winter and early spring along the mid-Atlantic and Northeast coasts of the U.S. Prior to Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the island was impacted by the Halloween Storm of 2005 (nor'easter), the Patriot's Day storm in 2007 (nor'easter), Nor'Ida in 2009, an unnamed nor'easter in 2010 (fig. 7), and Hurricane Irene in 2011. Since Sandy, the island has been impacted by Hurricane Joaquin in 2015, Hurricane Irma in 2017, the combined energy of offshore Hurricanes Maria and Jose, and, more recently, four powerful nor'easters in one month during March 2018. 

 

Timeline of storms that have impacted Fire Island and surveys the USGS has conducted over the past few decades.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Timeline of storms that have impacted Fire Island and surveys the USGS has conducted over the past few decades. Credit: Kat Wilson , USGS
These beach profiles show the changes resulting from the storm which caused widespread beach erosion (loss of elevation) but lit
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Nor'Ida was a nor'easter that formed from the remnants of Hurricane Ida during November 2009. These beach profiles show the changes resulting from the storm which caused widespread beach erosion (loss of elevation) but little changes to the dunes. Hurricane Irene made landfall several times along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. in August 2011. By the time the storm was close to Fire Island, it had weakened significantly, but it still resulted in beach erosion, particularly along the lower beach. Credit: Noreen Buster, USGS

 

Photo of the beach state after Hurricane Irene Sand eroded from the beach and dunes was transported landward Image taken prior to the peak of the Nor'Ida storm event

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
Dunes and beach at Fire Island, New York

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...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Sandy
link

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...
Learn More
link
Research themes of this project can be integrated with each other.

Research Integration - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York

In order to predict the future behavior of the Fire Island landscape as a whole, information from across research themes must be integrated.
By
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Research Integration - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York

In order to predict the future behavior of the Fire Island landscape as a whole, information from across research themes must be integrated.
Learn More
link
USGS scientists install a camera in the back-barrier marsh to monitor marsh-edge erosion along the northern shoreline

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.
By
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

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.
Learn More
link
Fisheye photograph of dunes, surf, and beach on Fire Island

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...
By
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

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...
Learn More
link
Maps showing (A) acoustic backscatter and (B) bathymetry collected with the inteferomentric sonar

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.
By
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Sandy
link

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.
Learn More
link
Sandy beach on Fire Island with a researcher on a PWC in the surf zone

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...
By
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Sandy
link

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...
Learn More

Below are publications associated with this project.

Hurricane Sandy washover deposits on Fire Island, New York

Washover deposits on Fire Island, New York, from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 were investigated a year after the storm to document the sedimentary characteristics of hurricane washover features. Sediment data collected in the field includes stratigraphic descriptions and photos from trenches, bulk sediment samples, U-channels, and gouge and push cores. Samples and push cores were further analyzed in th
Authors
SeanPaul M. La Selle, Brent D. Lunghino, Bruce E. Jaffe, Guy Gelfenbaum, Pedro J.M. Costa
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

Coastal change from Hurricane Sandy and the 2012-13 winter storm season: Fire Island, New York

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) mounted a substantial effort in response to Hurricane Sandy including an assessment of the morphological impacts to the beach and dune system at Fire Island, New York. Field surveys of the beach and dunes collected just prior to and after landfall were used to quantify change in several focus areas. In order to quantify morphologic change along the length of the i
Authors
Cheryl J. Hapke, Owen Brenner, Rachel E. Henderson, B.J. Reynolds
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

Since the late 1990s, USGS has been conducting research to quantify the impact from other hurricanes and nor'easters on the beaches and dunes at Fire Island.

Extratropical storms, commonly called nor'easters, are powerful events that occur during the winter and early spring along the mid-Atlantic and Northeast coasts of the U.S. Prior to Hurricane Sandy in 2012, the island was impacted by the Halloween Storm of 2005 (nor'easter), the Patriot's Day storm in 2007 (nor'easter), Nor'Ida in 2009, an unnamed nor'easter in 2010 (fig. 7), and Hurricane Irene in 2011. Since Sandy, the island has been impacted by Hurricane Joaquin in 2015, Hurricane Irma in 2017, the combined energy of offshore Hurricanes Maria and Jose, and, more recently, four powerful nor'easters in one month during March 2018. 

 

Timeline of storms that have impacted Fire Island and surveys the USGS has conducted over the past few decades.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Timeline of storms that have impacted Fire Island and surveys the USGS has conducted over the past few decades. Credit: Kat Wilson , USGS
These beach profiles show the changes resulting from the storm which caused widespread beach erosion (loss of elevation) but lit
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Nor'Ida was a nor'easter that formed from the remnants of Hurricane Ida during November 2009. These beach profiles show the changes resulting from the storm which caused widespread beach erosion (loss of elevation) but little changes to the dunes. Hurricane Irene made landfall several times along the Atlantic coast of the U.S. in August 2011. By the time the storm was close to Fire Island, it had weakened significantly, but it still resulted in beach erosion, particularly along the lower beach. Credit: Noreen Buster, USGS

 

Photo of the beach state after Hurricane Irene Sand eroded from the beach and dunes was transported landward Image taken prior to the peak of the Nor'Ida storm event

Below are other science projects associated with this project.

link
Dunes and beach at Fire Island, New York

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...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Sandy
link

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...
Learn More
link
Research themes of this project can be integrated with each other.

Research Integration - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York

In order to predict the future behavior of the Fire Island landscape as a whole, information from across research themes must be integrated.
By
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

Research Integration - Coastal System Change at Fire Island, New York

In order to predict the future behavior of the Fire Island landscape as a whole, information from across research themes must be integrated.
Learn More
link
USGS scientists install a camera in the back-barrier marsh to monitor marsh-edge erosion along the northern shoreline

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.
By
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

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.
Learn More
link
Fisheye photograph of dunes, surf, and beach on Fire Island

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...
By
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
link

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...
Learn More
link
Maps showing (A) acoustic backscatter and (B) bathymetry collected with the inteferomentric sonar

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.
By
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Sandy
link

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.
Learn More
link
Sandy beach on Fire Island with a researcher on a PWC in the surf zone

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...
By
St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Sandy
link

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...
Learn More

Below are publications associated with this project.

Hurricane Sandy washover deposits on Fire Island, New York

Washover deposits on Fire Island, New York, from Hurricane Sandy in 2012 were investigated a year after the storm to document the sedimentary characteristics of hurricane washover features. Sediment data collected in the field includes stratigraphic descriptions and photos from trenches, bulk sediment samples, U-channels, and gouge and push cores. Samples and push cores were further analyzed in th
Authors
SeanPaul M. La Selle, Brent D. Lunghino, Bruce E. Jaffe, Guy Gelfenbaum, Pedro J.M. Costa
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Sandy

Coastal change from Hurricane Sandy and the 2012-13 winter storm season: Fire Island, New York

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) mounted a substantial effort in response to Hurricane Sandy including an assessment of the morphological impacts to the beach and dune system at Fire Island, New York. Field surveys of the beach and dunes collected just prior to and after landfall were used to quantify change in several focus areas. In order to quantify morphologic change along the length of the i
Authors
Cheryl J. Hapke, Owen Brenner, Rachel E. Henderson, B.J. Reynolds
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Hurricane Sandy
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