Topographic change at Core Banks, NC, after Hurricane Irene in 2011

Topographic change (difference) for a portion of Core Banks, NC, after Hurricane Irene in 2011. The difference image shows over 1 m of vertical erosion in the beaches that were breached. Red colors indicate erosion. For example, oranges and reds on the seaward side of the islands indicate wide-spread shoreline retreat. Blue colors show areas of accretion, such as overwash deposits where waves and surge have moved sand landward. (The Atlantic Ocean is on the bottom right.)