Curt Storlazzi, PhD
My interests span the coastal zone, from seacliff erosional processes to sediment dynamics in the shallow coastal ocean. My research focuses on the quantitative study of hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and geomorphology in coastal and marine environments.
Research Topics
Coral reef morphology, hydrodynamics, and sediment, nutrient, contaminant, and larval transport
The role of coral reefs and other coastal ecosystems in coastal hazard risk reduction
The interplay between geologic structure, climatic fluctuations, and coastal processes
High-resolution oceanographic instrumentation and coastal mapping techniques
The influence of physical processes on coral reef ecosystems
Many tropical coastal environments have been impacted by infrastructure development, nutrient and contaminant delivery, and natural and human-induced sedimentation. The high geomorphic and hydrodynamic complexity both within and between coral reefs, in conjunction with past technical restrictions, has limited our understanding of the nature of flow and the resulting flux of physical, chemical, and biologic material in these ecosystems. Understanding the physical controls on the timing and magnitude of flow and sediment, larvae, nutrient, and contaminant transport, along with their impact on seafloor geomorphology, stability, and sedimentation in these refugia are essential to assessing modern anthropogenic impacts (climate change, etc.) on these ecosystems and help guide how restoration can increase the resiliency of coral reef-lined coastal communities.
See: Coral Reef Project and The Value of U.S. Coral Reefs for Risk Reduction (links below)
The influence of climate change and sea-level rise on coral reef-lined coasts
Observations show that sea level is rising and recent projections indicate sea level will exceed 1.0 m, and may reach 2.0 m, above 2000 levels by the end of the 21st century. The amount of land and water available for human habitation, water and food sources, and ecosystems along coral reef-lined coasts is limited and vulnerable to wave-driven flooding during storms. Rising sea levels will further exacerbate the impacts of storms on coral reef-lined coasts by reducing wave breaking (and thus energy dissipation) over reefs and result in greater wave energy impacting the shoreline, causing increased flooding and changes to the coast such as erosion. Understanding the physical controls on the timing and magnitude of flooding, along with their impact on coastal geomorphology, are essential to assessing impacts on, and the future sustainability of, coastal infrastructure, agriculture, freshwater availability, and ecosystems.
See: Low-lying areas of tropical Pacific islands (links below)
Professional Experience
2002-present: Research Geologist and Oceanographer, USGS Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program
2002-present: Research Associate, University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC) Institute for Marine Sciences
Education and Certifications
2002-2004: Research Fellow, Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans Consortium
2000-2002: Post-doctoral Researcher, UCSC Institute for Marine Sciences
2000: Ph.D., UCSC, Earth Sciences Department
1996: B.Sc., University of Delaware, Geology Department
Science and Products
The relative contribution of processes driving variability in flow, shear, and turbidity over a fringing coral reef: West Maui, Hawaii
Diurnal variability in turbidity and coral fluorescence on a fringing reef flat: Southern Molokai, Hawaii
Influence of Harbor construction on downcoast morphological evolution: Santa Barbara, California
Submarine ground water discharge and fate along the coast of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Hawaii Part I: Time-series measurements of currents, waves, salinity and temperature: November 2005 – July 2006
High-resolution topographic, bathymetric, and oceanographic data for the Pleasure Point area, Santa Cruz County, California: 2005-2007
Model scenarios of shoreline change at Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii: Seasonal and extreme events
Spatial and temporal variability in oceanographic and meteorologic forcing along Central California and its implications on nearshore processes
Wave-driven spatial and temporal variability in sea-floor sediment mobility in the Monterey Bay, Cordell Bank, and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries
Exploring rippled scour depressions offshore Huntington Beach, CA
Coastal circulation and sediment dynamics in Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i, Hawaii: Part II: Tracking recent fluvial sedimentation: Isotope stratigraphy obtained in Summer 2005
Coastal circulation and sediment dynamics in Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Part I, Measurements of waves, currents, temperature, salinity and turbidity; June–August, 2005
The application of acoustic Doppler current profilers to measure the timing and patterns of coral larval dispersal
Non-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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The relative contribution of processes driving variability in flow, shear, and turbidity over a fringing coral reef: West Maui, Hawaii
High-frequency measurements of waves, currents and water column properties were made on a fringing coral reef off northwest Maui, Hawaii, for 15 months between 2001 and 2003 to aid in understanding the processes governing flow and turbidity over a range of time scales and their contributions to annual budgets. The summer months were characterized by consistent trade winds and small waves, and undeAuthorsC. D. Storlazzi, B. E. JaffeDiurnal variability in turbidity and coral fluorescence on a fringing reef flat: Southern Molokai, Hawaii
Terrigenous sediment in the nearshore environment can pose both acute and chronic stresses to coral reefs. The reef flat off southern Molokai, Hawaii, typically experiences daily turbidity events, in which trade winds and tides combine to resuspend terrigenous sediment and transport it alongshore. These chronic turbidity events could play a role in restricting coral distribution on the reef flat bAuthorsG.A. Piniak, C. D. StorlazziInfluence of Harbor construction on downcoast morphological evolution: Santa Barbara, California
Sand impoundment caused by construction of the Santa Barbara Harbor in the 1920s, created an erosion wave that impacted downcoast Carpinteria Beach. Historic beach and shoreline changes were analyzed to understand continuing erosion using a combination of historic air photos, lidar, and physical measurements. The long-term analyses show a clockwise rotation with erosion of - 0.35 m/yr at the updriAuthorsD.L. Revell, P.L. Barnard, N. Mustain, C. D. StorlazziSubmarine ground water discharge and fate along the coast of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Hawaii Part I: Time-series measurements of currents, waves, salinity and temperature: November 2005 – July 2006
The impending development for the west Hawai‘i coastline adjacent to Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park (KAHO) may potentially alter coastal hydrology and water quality in the marine waters of the park. Water resources are perhaps the most significant natural and cultural resource component in the park, and are critical to the health and well being of six federally listed species. KAHO contAuthorsM. Katherine Presto, Curt D. Storlazzi, Joshua B. Logan, Eric E. GrossmanHigh-resolution topographic, bathymetric, and oceanographic data for the Pleasure Point area, Santa Cruz County, California: 2005-2007
The County of Santa Cruz Department of Public Works and the County of Santa Cruz Redevelopment Agency requested the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Western Coastal and Marine Geology Team (WCMG) to provide baseline geologic and oceanographic information on the coast and inner shelf at Pleasure Point, Santa Cruz County, California. The rationale for this proposed work is a need to better understand tAuthorsCurt D. Storlazzi, Patrick L. Barnard, Brian D. Collins, David P. Finlayson, Nadine E. Golden, Gerry A. Hatcher, Robert E. Kayen, Peter RuggieroModel scenarios of shoreline change at Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii: Seasonal and extreme events
Kaanapali beach is a well-defined littoral cell of carbonate sand extending 2 km south from Black Rock (a basalt headland) to Hanakao'o Point. The beach experiences dynamic seasonal shoreline change forced by longshore transport from two dominant swell regimes. In summer, south swells (Hs = 1–2 m Tp = 14–25 s) drive sand to the north, while in winter, north swells (Hs = 5–8 m Tp = 14–20 s) drive sAuthorsSean Vitousek, Charles H. Fletcher, Mark A. Merrifield, Geno Pawlak, Curt D. StorlazziSpatial and temporal variability in oceanographic and meteorologic forcing along Central California and its implications on nearshore processes
In the past two decades, the understanding of the important large-scale phenomena (El Niño, upwelling, California current, etc) that drive physical, chemical, and biological processes along the US West Coast has greatly improved. However, the ability to predict the influence of annual and inter-annual events on a regional scale still remains limited. High-resolution hourly data from 6 National OceAuthorsD.K. Wingfield, C. D. StorlazziWave-driven spatial and temporal variability in sea-floor sediment mobility in the Monterey Bay, Cordell Bank, and Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuaries
Wind and wave patterns affect many aspects of continental shelves and shorelines geomorphic evolution. Although our understanding of the processes controlling sediment suspension on continental shelves has improved over the past decade, our ability to predict sediment mobility over large spatial and temporal scales remains limited. The deployment of robust operational buoys along the U.S. West CoaAuthorsCurt D. Storlazzi, Jane A. Reid, Nadine E. GoldenExploring rippled scour depressions offshore Huntington Beach, CA
Morphological model computations based on uniform (non-graded) sediment revealed an unrealistically strong scour of the sea floor in the immediate vicinity to the west of Maasvlakte 2. By means of a state-of-the-art graded sediment transport model the effect of natural armouring and sorting of bed material on the scour process has been examined. Sensitivity computations confirm that the developmenAuthorsEleyne L. Phillips, Curt D. Storlazzi, Peter Dartnell, Brian D. EdwardsCoastal circulation and sediment dynamics in Hanalei Bay, Kaua'i, Hawaii: Part II: Tracking recent fluvial sedimentation: Isotope stratigraphy obtained in Summer 2005
Delivery and dispersal of fluvial sediment in Hanalei Bay, Kaua’i, Hawaii, have important implications for the health of local coral reefs. The reef community in Hanalei Bay represents a relatively healthy ecosystem. However, the reefs are periodically stressed by storm waves, and increases in sediment and dissolved substances from the Hanalei River have the potential to cause additional stress. IAuthorsAmy E. Draut, Michael E. Field, Michael H. Bothner, Joshua B. Logan, Michael A. Casso, Sandra M. Baldwin, Curt D. StorlazziCoastal circulation and sediment dynamics in Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Part I, Measurements of waves, currents, temperature, salinity and turbidity; June–August, 2005
High-resolution measurements of waves, currents, water levels, temperature, salinity and turbidity were made in Hanalei Bay, northern Kauai, Hawaii, during the summer of 2005 to better understand coastal circulation and sediment dynamics in coral reef habitats. A series of bottom-mounted instrument packages were deployed in water depths of 10 m or less to collect long-term, high-resolution measureAuthorsCurt D. Storlazzi, M. Kathy Presto, Joshua B. Logan, Michael E. FieldThe application of acoustic Doppler current profilers to measure the timing and patterns of coral larval dispersal
An experiment was conducted along the reefs off west Maui, Hawaii, during the summer of 2003 to monitor the spawning of the reef-building coral Montipora capitata and to determine the role of ocean currents in dispersing the larvae from the natal reef. Instruments documented the environmental forcing during the coral spawning season; drifters were deployed on three successive nights following direAuthorsCurt D. Storlazzi, E.K. Brown, Michael E. FieldNon-USGS Publications**
**Disclaimer: The views expressed in Non-USGS publications are those of the author and do not represent the views of the USGS, Department of the Interior, or the U.S. Government.
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