Surveying beaches near Montecito, CA

USGS volunteer Josh Brown on Santa Claus Beach, Carpinteria, at the start of a 14-mile walking survey of southern California beaches. The differential GPS equipment carried in the backpack collects elevation, or topographic, data of the beach, accurate to about 1 inch (2 centimeters) both horizontally and vertically. Data are used to monitor seasonal beach changes and are incorporated into models of future coastal change to help California communities plan to protect their coastlines.