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Elizabeth A Pendleton

I am a geologist at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. I am most interested in exploring the complexities, compounding, dependencies, and uncertainties that exist among climate and coastal hazards and landscape change. I rely on spatial analysis, mapping, and machine learning techniques to synthesize coastal datasets into decision support science and products

Coastal Change Likelihood

Chart with arrow pointing from fabric to hazards to fabric + hazards = CCL outcomes
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Research

Delmarva Project

Sand ridge morphology and bedform migration patterns offshore of Assateague Island
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I am a project coordinator for the Future Landscape Adaptation and Coastal Change project, which provides user-focused, decision-support information through the integration of data and knowledge in multidisciplinary probabilistic frameworks and assessments. The Coastal Change Likelihood assessment is an effort that I lead within this project space that will supersede the popular but outdated Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI). This update incorporates technological updates and improvements in coastal data source quality, resolution, data processing, stakeholder engagement, and product usability.

I am also a USGS peer support worker (PSW). The training and learning opportunities that the PSW program provides has helped me, professionally and personally, from learning more inclusive language skills to recognizing the value of nuerodiversity and self-care.

Professional Experience

  • Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, 2002 - Present.

Education and Certifications

  • M.A. Earth Science, Boston University, 2002.

  • B.S. Marine Science, Coastal Carolina University, 1999.

Science and Products

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Coastal Change Likelihood map of Chesapeake, VA

Coastal Change Likelihood

The U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with the National Park Service through the Natural Resource Preservation Program, developed the Coastal Change Likelihood (CCL) assessment to determine the future likelihood of coastal change along U.S. coastlines in the next decade. The Northeast United States, from Maine to Virginia, was selected for a proof-of-concept pilot study.
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Coastal Change Likelihood

The U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with the National Park Service through the Natural Resource Preservation Program, developed the Coastal Change Likelihood (CCL) assessment to determine the future likelihood of coastal change along U.S. coastlines in the next decade. The Northeast United States, from Maine to Virginia, was selected for a proof-of-concept pilot study.
Learn More
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Map of  Relative Coastal Vulnerability for Virgin Islands National Park.

Coastal Vulnerability in National Park Units

These Open-File Reports are part of a joint effort by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service to map the coastal vulnerability of coastal park units.
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Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Coastal Vulnerability in National Park Units

These Open-File Reports are part of a joint effort by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service to map the coastal vulnerability of coastal park units.
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Photograph of storm overwash, Surf Drive Beach, Falmouth, MA

Sea-Level Rise Hazards and Decision Support

The Sea-Level Rise Hazards and Decision-Support project assesses present and future coastal vulnerability to provide actionable information for management of our Nation’s coasts. Through multidisciplinary research and collaborative partnerships with decision-makers, physical, biological, and social factors that describe landscape and habitat changes are incorporated in a probabilistic modeling...
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Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Sea-Level Rise Hazards and Decision Support

The Sea-Level Rise Hazards and Decision-Support project assesses present and future coastal vulnerability to provide actionable information for management of our Nation’s coasts. Through multidisciplinary research and collaborative partnerships with decision-makers, physical, biological, and social factors that describe landscape and habitat changes are incorporated in a probabilistic modeling...
Learn More
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Image showing bathymetry of the southern Gulf of Maine with MA coastal zone boundary

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...
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Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
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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...
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Tracklines map

Hurricane Sandy Response- Linking the Delmarva Peninsula's Geologic Framework to Coastal Vulnerability

The Delmarva Peninsula is a 220-kilometer-long headland, spit, and barrier island complex that was significantly affected by Hurricane Sandy. In order to better constrain controls on coastal vulnerability and evolution, the region’s sediment sources, transport pathways and sediment sinks must be identified. This project defines the geologic framework of the Delmarva coastal system through...
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Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Hurricane Sandy Response- Linking the Delmarva Peninsula's Geologic Framework to Coastal Vulnerability

The Delmarva Peninsula is a 220-kilometer-long headland, spit, and barrier island complex that was significantly affected by Hurricane Sandy. In order to better constrain controls on coastal vulnerability and evolution, the region’s sediment sources, transport pathways and sediment sinks must be identified. This project defines the geologic framework of the Delmarva coastal system through...
Learn More
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Graphic showing the geophysical systems used to map the seafloor surface and underlying structure, and sampling instruments

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...
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Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
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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...
Learn More
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3DR Solo quadcopter in flight

Aerial Imaging and Mapping

The Aerial Imaging and Mapping group (AIM), at the U.S. Geological Survey Woods (USGS) Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center provides UAS services to scientists to advance the science mission of the Coastal and Marine Geology Program. Scientists at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center have been using UASs to acquire imagery of coastal and wetland environments, which is then used to...
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Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Aerial Imaging and Mapping

The Aerial Imaging and Mapping group (AIM), at the U.S. Geological Survey Woods (USGS) Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center provides UAS services to scientists to advance the science mission of the Coastal and Marine Geology Program. Scientists at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center have been using UASs to acquire imagery of coastal and wetland environments, which is then used to...
Learn More
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Map of  Relative Coastal Vulnerability for Virgin Islands National Park.

Relative Coastal Vulnerability Assessment of National Park Units to Sea-Level Rise

The National Park Service (NPS) is responsible for managing nearly 12,000 km (7,500 miles) of shoreline along oceans and lakes. In 2001 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with the NPS Geologic Resources Division, began conducting hazard assessments of future sea-level change by creating maps to assist NPS in managing its valuable resources. This website contains results of the...
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Relative Coastal Vulnerability Assessment of National Park Units to Sea-Level Rise

The National Park Service (NPS) is responsible for managing nearly 12,000 km (7,500 miles) of shoreline along oceans and lakes. In 2001 the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), in partnership with the NPS Geologic Resources Division, began conducting hazard assessments of future sea-level change by creating maps to assist NPS in managing its valuable resources. This website contains results of the...
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Coastal Change Likelihood in the U.S. Northeast Region: Maine to Virginia

Coastal resources are increasingly impacted by erosion, extreme weather events, sea-level rise, tidal flooding, and other potential hazards related to climate change. These hazards have varying impacts on coastal landscapes due to the numerous geologic, oceanographic, ecological, and socioeconomic factors that exist at a given location. Here, an assessment framework is introduced that synthesizes
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Aerial imagery and ground control points collected during an uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) survey at Plum Island Estuary and Parker River NWR (PIEPR), November 14, 2017 and March 28, 2019

Low-altitude (80 and 100 meters above ground level) digital images were taken over an area of the Plum Island Estuary and Parker River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Massachusetts using 3DR Solo unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) on November 14, 2017 and March 28, 2019. These images were collected as part of an effort to document marsh stability over time and quantify sediment movement using UAS t
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program

Aerial Imagery collected during unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) operations in Massachusetts and Maine between March 2018 - September 2018

Low-altitude (80 and 100 meters above ground level) digital images were collected at Sage Lot Pond in Waquoit, Massachusetts, two sites on the Mill River in Taunton, MA, Great Marsh in Barnstable, MA, the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve in Wells, ME, and on the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Quissett Campus in Woods Hole, MA using 3DR Solo unoccupied aircraft systems (UAS) during 2
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Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Sea-Floor Sediment and Imagery Data Collected in Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts, 2016 and 2017

Two marine geological surveys were conducted in Nantucket Sound, Massachusetts, in May 2016 and May 2017 by the U.S. Geological Survey as part of an agreement with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management to map the geology of the sea floor offshore of Massachusetts. Samples of surficial sediment and photographs of the sea floor were collected at 76 sampling sites within the survey area
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Aerial imagery and photogrammetric products from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flights over the Lake Ontario shoreline at Chimney Bluffs, New York, July 14, 2017

Low-altitude (80-100 meters above ground level) digital images were obtained from a camera mounted on a 3DR Solo quadcopter, a small unmanned aerial system (UAS), in three locations along the Lake Ontario shoreline in New York during July 2017. These data were collected to document and monitor effects of high lake levels, including shoreline erosion, inundation, and property damage in the vicinity
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Aerial imagery from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) flights: Plum Island Estuary and Parker River NWR (PIEPR), February 27th, 2018

Low-altitude (80 and 100 meters above ground level) digital images were taken over an area of the Plum Island Estuary and Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Massachusetts using 3DR Solo unmanned aerial systems (UAS) on February 27, 2018. These images were collected as part of an effort to document marsh stability over time and quantify sediment movement using UAS technology. Each UAS was equ
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Geospatial Data Layers of Shallow Geology, Sea-Floor Texture, and Physiographic Zones from the Inner Continental Shelf of Martha's Vineyard from Aquinnah to Wasque Point, and Nantucket from Eel Point to Great Point

Geologic, sediment texture, and physiographic zone maps characterize the sea floor south and west of Martha's Vineyard and north of Nantucket, Massachusetts. These maps were derived from interpretations of seismic-reflection profiles, high-resolution bathymetry, acoustic-backscatter intensity, bottom photographs, and surficial sediment samples. The interpretation of the seismic stratigraphy and ma
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

USGS_Delmarva_SedTexture_Geomorph: Sediment Texture and Geomorphology of the Sea Floor from Fenwick Island, Maryland to Fisherman's Island, Virginia (polygon shapefile, Geographic, WGS84)

These data are a qualitatively derived interpretive polygon shapefile defining surficial sediment type and distribution, and geomorphology, for nearly 1,400 square kilometers of sea floor on the inner-continental shelf from Fenwick Island, Maryland to Fishermans Island, Virginia, USA. These data are classified according to Barnhardt and others (1998) bottom-type classification system, which was mo
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

High-resolution geophysical data collected along the Delmarva Peninsula 2015, U.S. Geological Survey Field Activity 2015-001-FA

The Delmarva Peninsula is a 220-kilometer-long headland, spit, and barrier island complex that was significantly affected by Hurricane Sandy in the fall of 2012. The U.S. Geological Survey conducted cruises during the summers of 2014 and 2015 to map the inner continental shelf of the Delmarva Peninsula using geophysical and sampling techniques to define the geologic framework that governs coastal
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Chart with arrow pointing from fabric to hazards to fabric + hazards = CCL outcomes
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Coastal Change Likelihood map of Chesapeake, VA
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Coastal Change Likelihood map of Chesapeake, VA
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Coastal Change Likelihood fabric data map for Chesapeake, VA
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CCL perpetual hazard data map of Chesapeake, VA
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CCL fabric data map of the Chesapeake, VA
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Two maps of coastal change on Cape Cod using the CCL and CVI
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CCL map and CVI map gif
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Coastal Change Likelihood map of Chesapeake, VA
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Map of Cape Cod showing coastal change likelihood
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Department of Interior UAS pilots
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Photograph of USGS scientist setting a target in Great Marsh, Sandy Neck, Beach, Cape Cod, MA
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Photograph of USGS drone pilots standing on a dune at Sandy Neck Beach, Cape Cod
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Photograph of USGS personnel in front of an active volcano
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USGS personnel prepare for an unmanned aerial system take off
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Drone Pilot Training
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A scientist explains an illustration on a poster presentation to a congressman in a suit
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Filter Total Items: 41

Development and application of a coastal change likelihood assessment for the northeast region, Maine to Virginia

Coastal resources are increasingly affected by erosion, extreme weather events, sea level rise, tidal flooding, and other potential hazards related to climate change. These hazards have varying effects on coastal landscapes because of the compounding of geologic, oceanographic, ecologic, and socioeconomic factors that exist at a given location. An assessment framework is introduced in this report
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, Erika E. Lentz, Travis K. Sterne, Rachel E. Henderson
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Relative Coastal Change-Potential Assessment of Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

A change-potential index (CPI) was used to map the relative coastal change-potential of the shoreline to future sea-level fluctuation within Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve (GBNPP) in southeastern Alaska. The CPI ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level change, historical shoreline change
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal change-potential assessment of Sleeping Bear Dunes, Indiana Dunes, and Apostle Islands National Lakeshores to lake-level changes

A change-potential index (CPI) was used to map the susceptibility of the shoreline to future lake-level change within Apostle Islands, Indiana Dunes, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshores (NL) along Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. The CPI in the Great Lakes setting ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to lake-level related coastal change: geomorphology, regional coast
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal vulnerability assessment of Point Reyes National Seashore (PORE) to sea-level rise

A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was used to map the relative vulnerability of the coast to future sea-level rise within Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California. The CVI ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to sea-level rise-related coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level rise, historical shoreline change rates, mean
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal vulnerability assessment of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park to sea-level rise

A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was used to map the relative vulnerability of the coast to future sea-level rise within Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park in Hawaii. The CVI ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to sea-level rise-related coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level rise, historical shoreline change rates, mean t
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal vulnerability assessment of Channel Islands National Park (CHIS) to sea-level rise

A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was used to map the relative vulnerability of the coast to future sea-level rise within Channel Islands National Park off the coast of California. The CVI ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to sea-level rise-related coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level rise, historical shoreline change rates,
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal vulnerability assessment of Golden Gate National Recreation Area to sea-level rise

A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was used to map the relative vulnerability of the coast to future sea-level rise within the legislative boundary of Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) in Northern California. The CVI ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to sea-level rise-related coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level ris
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal vulnerability assessment of War in the Pacific National Historical Park to sea-level rise

A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was used to map the relative vulnerability of the coast to future sea-level rise within War in the Pacific National Historical Park (NHP) on the island of Guam. The CVI ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to sea-level rise-related coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level rise, historical shoreline
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal vulnerability assessment of Virgin Islands National Park (VIIS) to sea-level rise

A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was used to map the relative vulnerability of the coast to future sea-level rise within Virgin Islands National Park on St. John in the US Virgin Islands. The CVI ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to sea-level rise-related coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level rise, historical shoreline change
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal vulnerability assessment of Gateway National Recreation Area (GATE) to sea-level rise

A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was used to map the relative vulnerability of the coast to future sea-level rise within Gateway National Recreation Area in New York and New Jersey. The CVI ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to sea-level rise-related coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level rise, historical shoreline change rates
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal vulnerability assessment of Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO) to sea-level rise

A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was used to map the relative vulnerability of the coast to future sea-level rise within Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida. The CVI ranks the following in terms of their physical contribution to sea-level rise-related coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level rise, historical shoreline change rates, mean tidal range and
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams
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Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center

Relative coastal change-potential assessment of Kenai Fjords National Park

A change-potential index (CPI) was used to map the relative coastal change-potential of the shoreline to future sea-level changes within Kenai Fjords National Park (KEFJ) in south-central Alaska. The CPI ranks the following parameters in terms of their physical contribution to coastal change: geomorphology, regional coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level change, historical shoreline change rate
Authors
Elizabeth A. Pendleton, E. Robert Thieler, S. Jeffress Williams
By
Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Coastal Change Likelihood Assessment

The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the National Park Service, developed the Coastal Change Likelihood assessment to determine the future...

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USGS and NOAA merge collections to create new high-resolution, broad-scale geologic maps of the seafloor

USGS and NOAA collaborate to create high-resolution maps on the Atlantic continental shelf between Delaware and Virginia.

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Marine geologic maps of the inner continental shelf of Massachusetts, where science meets art

Marine geologic maps of the inner continental shelf of Massachusetts, where science, scientists, and art come together to create visually appealing...

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The Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Aerial Imaging and Mapping Group Aids in Monitoring and Mapping the Kīlauea Volcanic Eruption

Interagency drone pilots from the USGS, Bureau of Land Management, and Office of Aviation Services, and four data managers, join the USGS Hawaiian...

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USGS and Army Corps of Engineers conduct simultaneous measurements at Sandy Neck beach, Cape Cod, MA

Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center Aerial Imaging and Mapping (AIM) group conducted drone flights from atop a dune at Sandy Neck (Cape Cod)...

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