This photograph shows a high-accuracy geodetic surveying tripod used to measure vertical land motion.
Progress Through Partnerships - Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motion Project Active
By Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
August 29, 2022
Sometimes science takes a village.
Our work in the Chesapeake Bay would not be possible if not for the help of our partners from across the scientific community.
Our work in the Chesapeake Bay would not be possible if not for the help of our partners from across the scientific community.
Chesapeake Bay region has the highest rate of relative sea-level rise on the Atlantic Coast of the United States, and data indicate that vertical land motion in the form of subsidence has been responsible for more than half the relative sea-level rise measured in the Chesapeake Bay region.
The Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motion Project is a cooperative effort between the USGS and our many partners to document and study this problem. Scientists from federal agencies, state government, and academic institutions across the Chesapeake Bay region are all working together to better understand and measure land subsidence, sea level rise, and shoreline retreat. The USGS recognizes and applauds every project member that works to make this research possible.
Research Partner Spotlight - Virginia Tech
Research Partner Spotlight - Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a key partner in the Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motion Project. Professors and students at the Geodesy and Tectonophysics Laboratory process, verify, quality check, and archive all of the data collected through this project. Their research, interpretation, and numerical modeling continues to be invaluable to our shared efforts.
Partner Spotlight - National Geodetic Survey
Partner Spotlight - National Geodetic Survey
Our partners at the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) contribute substantially to our efforts to understand land motion in the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to helping with project design, project management, and organizing field campaigns, our NGS partners also provide their expertise and equipment to our team along with training for our scientists and field techs.
Jim Duda - USGS Virginia and West Virginia Water Sciences Center
Jim Duda - USGS Virginia and West Virginia Water Sciences Center
Jim Duda - USGS Virginia and West Virginia Water Sciences Center
Joel Carr - USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center
Joel Carr - USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center
Joel Carr - USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center
Sarah Stamps - Virginia Tech Geodesy and Tectonophysics Laboratory
Sarah Stamps - Virginia Tech Geodesy and Tectonophysics Laboratory
Sarah Stamps - Virginia Tech Geodesy and Tectonophysics Laboratory
Thomas Ulizio - Maryland Geological Survey
Thomas Ulizio - Maryland Geological Survey
Thomas Ulizio - Maryland Geological Survey
Philippe Hensel - National Geodetic Survey
Philippe Hensel - National Geodetic Survey
Philippe Hensel - National Geodetic Survey
Ryan Hippenstiel - National Geodetic Survey
Ryan Hippenstiel - National Geodetic Survey
Ryan Hippenstiel - National Geodetic Survey
Former Lead Researchers
- Kurt McCoy - USGS
- Russ Lotspeich - USGS
- David Andreasen - Maryland Geological Survey
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
Project Management
The following partners contribute to the Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motion Project through both initial project design and ongoing project management:
- USGS Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
- USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center
- National Geodetic Survey
- Maryland Geological Survey
- Virginia Tech
- Hampton University
- University of Maryland
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
GPS Data Collection
Every October, many of our partners participate in our annual data collection event. Each year, around sixty benchmarks across Virginia and Maryland are each surveyed for multiple days using GPS survey equipment provided by the National Geodetic Survey.
Partners who participate in our GPS data collection event are:
- Virginia Tech
- Hampton University
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
- University of Delaware
- Maryland Geological Survey
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- The National Park Service
- The U. S. Geological Survey
Access our Datasets
All of the data collected by the Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motion Project is open access and archived through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Geodetic Facility for the Advancement of Geosciences (GAGE) operated by the University NAVSTAR Consortium (UNAVCO). Follow the links below to request access to our datasets.
- 2019 - Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motions GPS/GNSS Observations Dataset
- 2020 - Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motions GPS/GNSS Observations Dataset
Land Subsidence on the Virginia Coastal Plain
Land subsidence is a loss of ground elevation, often experienced as the ground slowly sinking over the course of years. In eastern Virginia, high rates of groundwater use is a major factor in the land subsidence affecting the area. The Virginia-West Virginia Water Science Center, with the help of our partners, has been monitoring land subsidence in the Virginia Coastal Plain since 1979 using a...
New Crowd Sourcing Will Contribute to Study of Land Subsidence and Sea-Level Rise in the Chesapeake Bay
Issue: Chesapeake Bay region has the highest rate of relative sea-level rise on the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Scientists use the term relative sea-level rise to describe the change in ocean height relative to changes in land elevation. Data indicate that vertical land motion in the form of subsidence has been responsible for more than half the relative sea-level rise measured in the...
Tripod-palooza—USGS Collaborates with Federal, State, and Academic Partners to Support Coastal Resiliency in the Wider Chesapeake Bay Area
In the Chesapeake Bay area, the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center is partnering with over a dozen organizations in a pilot project this fall, resulting in the establishment of a baseline reference for an ongoing effort in monitoring coastal subsidence.
Geodetic Surveying Tripod
This photograph shows a high-accuracy geodetic surveying tripod used to measure vertical land motion.
Land Surveying Station at Night
A night time photograph of a total station used for land surveying used by the National Geodetic Survey.
A night time photograph of a total station used for land surveying used by the National Geodetic Survey.
Geodetic Surveying to Monitor Land Subsidence at Fort McHenry
A photograph of geodetic surveying at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Site (National Park Service).
A photograph of geodetic surveying at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Site (National Park Service).
NGS Land Surveying Station
A photograph of a total station used for land surveying.
A photograph of a total station used for land surveying.
Geodetic Surveying Tripod
This photograph shows a high-accuracy geodetic surveying tripod used to measure vertical land motion.
This photograph shows a high-accuracy geodetic surveying tripod used to measure vertical land motion.
Monitoring benchmark
A photograph of a National Geodetic Survey (NOAA) continuous monitoring benchmark.
A photograph of a National Geodetic Survey (NOAA) continuous monitoring benchmark.
Chesapeake Bay region has the highest rate of relative sea-level rise on the Atlantic Coast of the United States, and data indicate that vertical land motion in the form of subsidence has been responsible for more than half the relative sea-level rise measured in the Chesapeake Bay region.
The Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motion Project is a cooperative effort between the USGS and our many partners to document and study this problem. Scientists from federal agencies, state government, and academic institutions across the Chesapeake Bay region are all working together to better understand and measure land subsidence, sea level rise, and shoreline retreat. The USGS recognizes and applauds every project member that works to make this research possible.
Research Partner Spotlight - Virginia Tech
Research Partner Spotlight - Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech is a key partner in the Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motion Project. Professors and students at the Geodesy and Tectonophysics Laboratory process, verify, quality check, and archive all of the data collected through this project. Their research, interpretation, and numerical modeling continues to be invaluable to our shared efforts.
Partner Spotlight - National Geodetic Survey
Partner Spotlight - National Geodetic Survey
Our partners at the National Geodetic Survey (NGS) contribute substantially to our efforts to understand land motion in the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to helping with project design, project management, and organizing field campaigns, our NGS partners also provide their expertise and equipment to our team along with training for our scientists and field techs.
Jim Duda - USGS Virginia and West Virginia Water Sciences Center
Jim Duda - USGS Virginia and West Virginia Water Sciences Center
Jim Duda - USGS Virginia and West Virginia Water Sciences Center
Joel Carr - USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center
Joel Carr - USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center
Joel Carr - USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center
Sarah Stamps - Virginia Tech Geodesy and Tectonophysics Laboratory
Sarah Stamps - Virginia Tech Geodesy and Tectonophysics Laboratory
Sarah Stamps - Virginia Tech Geodesy and Tectonophysics Laboratory
Thomas Ulizio - Maryland Geological Survey
Thomas Ulizio - Maryland Geological Survey
Thomas Ulizio - Maryland Geological Survey
Philippe Hensel - National Geodetic Survey
Philippe Hensel - National Geodetic Survey
Philippe Hensel - National Geodetic Survey
Ryan Hippenstiel - National Geodetic Survey
Ryan Hippenstiel - National Geodetic Survey
Ryan Hippenstiel - National Geodetic Survey
Former Lead Researchers
- Kurt McCoy - USGS
- Russ Lotspeich - USGS
- David Andreasen - Maryland Geological Survey
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
Project Management
The following partners contribute to the Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motion Project through both initial project design and ongoing project management:
- USGS Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center
- USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center
- National Geodetic Survey
- Maryland Geological Survey
- Virginia Tech
- Hampton University
- University of Maryland
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
GPS Data Collection
Every October, many of our partners participate in our annual data collection event. Each year, around sixty benchmarks across Virginia and Maryland are each surveyed for multiple days using GPS survey equipment provided by the National Geodetic Survey.
Partners who participate in our GPS data collection event are:
- Virginia Tech
- Hampton University
- Virginia Institute of Marine Science
- University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
- University of Delaware
- Maryland Geological Survey
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- The National Park Service
- The U. S. Geological Survey
Access our Datasets
All of the data collected by the Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motion Project is open access and archived through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Geodetic Facility for the Advancement of Geosciences (GAGE) operated by the University NAVSTAR Consortium (UNAVCO). Follow the links below to request access to our datasets.
- 2019 - Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motions GPS/GNSS Observations Dataset
- 2020 - Chesapeake Bay Vertical Land Motions GPS/GNSS Observations Dataset
Land Subsidence on the Virginia Coastal Plain
Land subsidence is a loss of ground elevation, often experienced as the ground slowly sinking over the course of years. In eastern Virginia, high rates of groundwater use is a major factor in the land subsidence affecting the area. The Virginia-West Virginia Water Science Center, with the help of our partners, has been monitoring land subsidence in the Virginia Coastal Plain since 1979 using a...
New Crowd Sourcing Will Contribute to Study of Land Subsidence and Sea-Level Rise in the Chesapeake Bay
Issue: Chesapeake Bay region has the highest rate of relative sea-level rise on the Atlantic Coast of the United States. Scientists use the term relative sea-level rise to describe the change in ocean height relative to changes in land elevation. Data indicate that vertical land motion in the form of subsidence has been responsible for more than half the relative sea-level rise measured in the...
Tripod-palooza—USGS Collaborates with Federal, State, and Academic Partners to Support Coastal Resiliency in the Wider Chesapeake Bay Area
In the Chesapeake Bay area, the Virginia and West Virginia Water Science Center is partnering with over a dozen organizations in a pilot project this fall, resulting in the establishment of a baseline reference for an ongoing effort in monitoring coastal subsidence.
Geodetic Surveying Tripod
This photograph shows a high-accuracy geodetic surveying tripod used to measure vertical land motion.
This photograph shows a high-accuracy geodetic surveying tripod used to measure vertical land motion.
Land Surveying Station at Night
A night time photograph of a total station used for land surveying used by the National Geodetic Survey.
A night time photograph of a total station used for land surveying used by the National Geodetic Survey.
Geodetic Surveying to Monitor Land Subsidence at Fort McHenry
A photograph of geodetic surveying at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Site (National Park Service).
A photograph of geodetic surveying at the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Site (National Park Service).
NGS Land Surveying Station
A photograph of a total station used for land surveying.
A photograph of a total station used for land surveying.
Geodetic Surveying Tripod
This photograph shows a high-accuracy geodetic surveying tripod used to measure vertical land motion.
This photograph shows a high-accuracy geodetic surveying tripod used to measure vertical land motion.
Monitoring benchmark
A photograph of a National Geodetic Survey (NOAA) continuous monitoring benchmark.
A photograph of a National Geodetic Survey (NOAA) continuous monitoring benchmark.