Coastal erosion, intense storm events and sea-level rise pose threats to coastal communities and infrastructure. Managers and scientists often lack the high-resolution data needed to improve estimates of sediment abundance and movement, shoreline change, and seabed characteristics that influence coastal vulnerability. To address these and other needs the U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with the State of Massachusetts, is conducting a multi-tiered research initiative consisting of shoreline change characterization, sediment transport numerical modeling and seafloor mapping in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts.
Shoreline Change
Shoreline change assessments are being made using an optimized database of Massachusetts shoreline positions and measurements, as well as novel shoreline-change predictive capabilities.
COAWST Modeling
How storms mobilize and transport sediment in Cape Cod Bay, MA is being investigated using the COAWST modeling system. Nearshore sediment fluxes are being analyzed and compared to shoreline change data to ascertain coastal change processes.
Geologic Mapping
Shoreline change and sediment flux findings are being integrated and validated with results from a comprehensive seafloor mapping effort that defines the surface and shallow subsurface geologic framework of Cape Cod Bay, MA.
Primary partner for this project is the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
Science projects associated with Massachusetts Integrated Coastal Studies (MICS)
Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS)
COAWST: A Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport Modeling System
Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Seafloor
Sea Floor Mapping Group
Long-Term Coastal Change
- Overview
Coastal erosion, intense storm events and sea-level rise pose threats to coastal communities and infrastructure. Managers and scientists often lack the high-resolution data needed to improve estimates of sediment abundance and movement, shoreline change, and seabed characteristics that influence coastal vulnerability. To address these and other needs the U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with the State of Massachusetts, is conducting a multi-tiered research initiative consisting of shoreline change characterization, sediment transport numerical modeling and seafloor mapping in Cape Cod Bay, Massachusetts.
Shoreline Change
Shoreline change assessments are being made using an optimized database of Massachusetts shoreline positions and measurements, as well as novel shoreline-change predictive capabilities.
COAWST Modeling
How storms mobilize and transport sediment in Cape Cod Bay, MA is being investigated using the COAWST modeling system. Nearshore sediment fluxes are being analyzed and compared to shoreline change data to ascertain coastal change processes.
Geologic MappingShoreline change and sediment flux findings are being integrated and validated with results from a comprehensive seafloor mapping effort that defines the surface and shallow subsurface geologic framework of Cape Cod Bay, MA.
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.House damaged by a large NorEaster Storm, Sandwich, MA February 2021
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.A large NorEaster Storm caused extensive property damage along the beach ,Sandwich, MA February 2021 Primary partner for this project is the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. - Science
Science projects associated with Massachusetts Integrated Coastal Studies (MICS)
Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS)
Computer Software for Calculating Shoreline Change (or positional change of a boundary over time) The Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) v5 software is an add-in to Esri ArcGIS desktop (10.4-10.7+) that enables a user to calculate rate-of-change statistics from multiple historical shoreline positions. It provides an automated method for establishing measurement locations, performs rate...COAWST: A Coupled-Ocean-Atmosphere-Wave-Sediment Transport Modeling System
Understanding the processes responsible for coastal change is important for managing both our natural and economic coastal resources. Storms are one of the primary driving forces causing coastal change from a coupling of wave- and wind-driven flows. To better understand storm impacts and their effects on our coastlines, there is an international need to better predict storm paths and intensities...Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Seafloor
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is conducting geologic mapping of the sea floor to characterize the surface and shallow subsurface geologic framework within the Massachusetts coastal zone. The long-term goal of this mapping effort is to produce high-resolution geologic maps and a Geographic Information System (GIS) that will...Sea Floor Mapping Group
The Sea Floor Mapping Group (SFMG) is a core capability at the Woods Hole Coastal & Marine Science Center (WHCMSC) that provides support for coastal, lacustrine and marine geologic research. The staff has a wide-range of expertise and is responsible for geophysical and sampling data acquisition, processing, interpretation and publication, logistics, design, and research and development. SFMG has...Long-Term Coastal Change
Goals of this task include developing and improving coastal-change assessments and supporting long-term planning and decision making to ensure sustainable coastal economies, infrastructure, and ecosystems. - Multimedia