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James Flocks

James Flocks is a Research Geologist at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.

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Filter Total Items: 13
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Aerial photograph looking west along Dauphin Island, Alabama, taken in September 2016.

Coastal Resource Evaluation for Management Application (CREMA)

Coastal environments are dynamic systems that provide high ecological, economical, recreational, and cultural value. Managing coastal systems requires a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions between geological and ecological processes, as well as the ability to predict both the near-term and long-term impacts of storms and sea-level rise. The Coastal Resource Evaluation for...
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Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Coastal Resource Evaluation for Management Application (CREMA)

Coastal environments are dynamic systems that provide high ecological, economical, recreational, and cultural value. Managing coastal systems requires a comprehensive understanding of the complex interactions between geological and ecological processes, as well as the ability to predict both the near-term and long-term impacts of storms and sea-level rise. The Coastal Resource Evaluation for...
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2016-05-01 Dalyander Conceptual Diagram

Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP)

In 2009, the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mobile District in conjunction with other Federal and State agencies, to help reduce future storm damage along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Comprehensive Plan for MsCIP includes restoring the Mississippi barrier islands and over 3,000 acres of wetland and coastal forest...
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Ecosystems, Natural Hazards, Water Resources, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP)

In 2009, the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program (MsCIP) was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Mobile District in conjunction with other Federal and State agencies, to help reduce future storm damage along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Comprehensive Plan for MsCIP includes restoring the Mississippi barrier islands and over 3,000 acres of wetland and coastal forest...
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Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment-Dauphin Workflow

Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment

This project is a collaborative effort between the USGS, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the State of Alabama funded by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to investigate viable, sustainable restoration options that protect and restore the natural resources of Dauphin Island, Alabama. The project is focused on restoration options that protect and restore habitat and living...
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Ecosystems, Natural Hazards, Water Resources, Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment

This project is a collaborative effort between the USGS, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the State of Alabama funded by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to investigate viable, sustainable restoration options that protect and restore the natural resources of Dauphin Island, Alabama. The project is focused on restoration options that protect and restore habitat and living...
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BARRIER ISLAND COMPREHENSIVE MONITORING PROGRAM (BICM)

Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program (BICM)

The goal of the State of Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring (BICM) program is to provide long-term data on the barrier islands of Louisiana that could be used to plan, design, evaluate, and maintain current and future barrier-island restoration projects.
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Ecosystems, Natural Hazards, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program (BICM)

The goal of the State of Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring (BICM) program is to provide long-term data on the barrier islands of Louisiana that could be used to plan, design, evaluate, and maintain current and future barrier-island restoration projects.
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2014-08_Integrating Mapping and Modeling to Support the Restoration of Bird Nesting Habitat_

Integrating Mapping and Modeling to Support the Restoration of Bird Nesting Habitat at Breton Island National Wildlife Refuge

Breton Island, located at the southern end of the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, is part of the Breton National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) established in 1904 by Theodore Roosevelt. Breton NWR is recognized as a globally important bird habitat because of the resources it provides, and hosts one of Louisiana's largest historical brown pelican nesting colonies. Without actions to restore sand to the...
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Ecosystems, Natural Hazards, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
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Integrating Mapping and Modeling to Support the Restoration of Bird Nesting Habitat at Breton Island National Wildlife Refuge

Breton Island, located at the southern end of the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, is part of the Breton National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) established in 1904 by Theodore Roosevelt. Breton NWR is recognized as a globally important bird habitat because of the resources it provides, and hosts one of Louisiana's largest historical brown pelican nesting colonies. Without actions to restore sand to the...
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FCMaP approach divides Florida into 6 regions

Mapping Florida's Coastal Waters

The FCMaP approach divides Florida into 6 regions that are geologically and physiographically distinct in terms of coastal characteristic.
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Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Mapping Florida's Coastal Waters

The FCMaP approach divides Florida into 6 regions that are geologically and physiographically distinct in terms of coastal characteristic.
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Photo of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers restoration work on coastline of St. Augustine, Florida

The Florida Coastal Mapping Program

The Florida Coastal Mapping Program (FCMaP) is an initiative between Federal and Florida State agencies and institutions to coordinate and facilitate the collection and accessibility of Florida coastal seafloor data in order to fill priority areas and gaps. FCMaP is affiliated with the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) whose activities are guided by the FCMaP Science and Technical Advisory...
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Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
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The Florida Coastal Mapping Program

The Florida Coastal Mapping Program (FCMaP) is an initiative between Federal and Florida State agencies and institutions to coordinate and facilitate the collection and accessibility of Florida coastal seafloor data in order to fill priority areas and gaps. FCMaP is affiliated with the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) whose activities are guided by the FCMaP Science and Technical Advisory...
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Location map showing land loss (red) from 1932 to 2004

Subsidence and Coastal Geomorphic Change in South-Central Louisiana

New methods will investigate coastal subsidence on and around barrier islands before and after restoration.
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St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Subsidence and Coastal Geomorphic Change in South-Central Louisiana

New methods will investigate coastal subsidence on and around barrier islands before and after restoration.
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Data-coverage map for each State of Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring (BICM) task

Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring

Historical and newly acquired data were used to assess and monitor changes in the aerial and subaqueous extent of islands, habitat types, sediment properties, environmental processes, and vegetation composition.
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring

Historical and newly acquired data were used to assess and monitor changes in the aerial and subaqueous extent of islands, habitat types, sediment properties, environmental processes, and vegetation composition.
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Map showing the location of geophysical and sediment core data collected between 2009 and 2013, and used in the MsCIP project.

Science Support for the Mississippi Coastal Improvement Project

Since 2007, the USGS (with NPS and USACE) has been mapping the seafloor and substrate around the Mississippi barrier islands to characterize the near-surface stratigraphy and identify the influence it has on island evolution and fate.
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Science Support for the Mississippi Coastal Improvement Project

Since 2007, the USGS (with NPS and USACE) has been mapping the seafloor and substrate around the Mississippi barrier islands to characterize the near-surface stratigraphy and identify the influence it has on island evolution and fate.
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NASA image of the U.S. Gulf Coast at night.

Enhancing Coastal Adaptation Planning at Gulf Islands National Seashore

Barrier islands are exposed to a range of natural and human-caused changes, including hurricanes, sea-level rise, and dredging. These changes have the potential to influence the ability of barrier islands to serve as a first-line of defense for the mainland during storm events. Gulf Islands National Seashore, a National Park Service unit in the northern Gulf of Mexico between Florida and Mississip
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Climate Adaptation Science Centers
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Enhancing Coastal Adaptation Planning at Gulf Islands National Seashore

Barrier islands are exposed to a range of natural and human-caused changes, including hurricanes, sea-level rise, and dredging. These changes have the potential to influence the ability of barrier islands to serve as a first-line of defense for the mainland during storm events. Gulf Islands National Seashore, a National Park Service unit in the northern Gulf of Mexico between Florida and Mississip
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A perspective model of the morphology and geologic framework near Petit Bois Island showing the relationships between seafloor f

Geologic and Morphologic Evolution of Coastal Margins

A combination of geophysics, sediment sampling, and chronology techniques are used to characterize the regional geomorphologic response of coastal systems to environmental changes.
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Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Geologic and Morphologic Evolution of Coastal Margins

A combination of geophysics, sediment sampling, and chronology techniques are used to characterize the regional geomorphologic response of coastal systems to environmental changes.
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Archive of Chirp Subbottom Profile Data Collected in 2015 From Dauphin Island, Alabama

As part of the Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Feasibility Study, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) conducted a nearshore geophysical survey to map the shoreface and determine Holocene stratigraphy near Dauphin Island, Alabama (AL) in September of 2015. The objective of the project is to investigate nearshore geologic con
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St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Archive of Chirp Subbottom Profile and Single-Beam Bathymetry Data Collected in 2021 From Santa Rosa Island, Florida

As part of the Coastal Resource Evaluation for Management Applications (CREMA) Project, scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) conducted a nearshore geophysical survey to map the shoreface and determine Holocene stratigraphy near Pensacola Beach, Florida (FL) in June of 2021. The objective of the project is to investigate nearsho
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Archive of Digitized Analog Boomer Seismic Reflection Data Collected from the Northern Gulf of Mexico: Intersea 1980

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP) has actively collected geophysical and sedimentological data in the northern Gulf of Mexico for several decades, including shallow subsurface data in the form of high-resolution seismic reflection profiles (HRSP). Prior to the mid-1990s most HRSP data were collected in analog format as paper rolls of continu
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal Multibeam Bathymetry Data Collected in 2019 off of Santa Rosa Island, Florida

The U.S. Geological Survey St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (USGS SPCMSC), collected multibeam bathymetry data off the coast of Santa Rosa Island, Florida in June of 2019. The data was collected as part of the USGS Resource Evaluation for Management Applications (CREMA) project. This USGS Data Release includes the resulting processed elevation point data (XYZ) as derived from a 1-m
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Multibeam Bathymetry Data Collected in 2018 offshore of Cedar Key, Florida

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC) conducted a multibeam bathymetry survey of a selected area offshore Cedar Key, Florida (FL) for the Florida Big Bend Pilot Study funded by USGS and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The study involves federal, state, and local agencies who are taking a comprehensive approach to investi
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Archive of Digitized Analog Boomer Seismic Reflection Data Collected from the Northern Gulf of Mexico: 1982, 1985, 1989, 1991, and 1992

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program (CMHRP) has actively collected geophysical and sedimentological data in the northern Gulf of Mexico for several decades, including shallow subsurface data in the form of high-resolution seismic reflection profiles (HRSP). Prior to the mid-1990s most HRSP data were collected in analog format as paper rolls of continu
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Archive of Chirp Subbottom Profile Data Collected in 2017 from the Louisiana Chenier Plain

Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted nearshore geophysical surveys around the eastern and western Chenier Plain, Louisiana, in 2017. Data were collected under the Barrier Island Coastal Monitoring (BICM) program, an ongoing collaboration between the State of Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA), the Un
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal Single-Beam Bathymetry Data Collected in 2017 from the Chenier Plain, Louisiana

As part of the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority's Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring Program, scientist from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center conducted a nearshore single-beam bathymetry survey along the Chenier Plain, Louisiana from Marsh Island to Sabine Pass. The goal of the BICM program is to provide long-term data on
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Sediment Data for Samples Collected in 2015, 2016, and 2017 from Coastal Louisiana

This data release serves as an archive of sediment data collected in 2015, 2016, and 2017 from coastal Louisiana. In 2015 and 2016, sediment grab samples (N=874) were collected coast-wide along shore-perpendicular transects that included back-barrier, emergent (beach and barrier island), shoreface, and nearshore environments. Sample locations were selected to re-occupy as closely as possible locat
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Archive of Digitized Analog Boomer Seismic-Reflection Data Collected During U.S. Geological Survey Cruises Erda 92-2 and Erda 92-4 in Mississippi Sound, June and August 1992

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal and Marine Geology Program has actively collected geophysical and sedimentological data in the northern Gulf of Mexico for several decades, including shallow subsurface data in the form of high-resolution seismic reflection profiles (HRSP). Prior to the mid-1990s most HRSP data were collected in analog format as paper rolls of continuous profiles up to 25
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Archive of Digitized Analog Boomer Seismic Reflection Data Collected during USGS Cruise USFHC in Mississippi Sound and Bay St. Louis, September 1989

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal and Marine Geology Program has actively collected geophysical and sedimentological data in the northern Gulf of Mexico for several decades, including shallow subsurface data in the form of high-resolution seismic reflection profiles (HRSP). Prior to the mid-1990s most HRSP data were collected in analog format as paper rolls of continuous profiles up to 25
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Archive of Digitized Analog Boomer Seismic Reflection Data Collected Along the Louisiana Shelf, 1982-1984

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal and Marine Geology Program has actively collected geophysical and sedimentological data in the northern Gulf of Mexico for several decades, including shallow subsurface data in the form of high-resolution seismic reflection profiles (HRSP). Prior to the mid-1990s most HRSP data were collected in analog format as paper rolls of continuous profiles up to 25
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
Filter Total Items: 95

Documenting the multiple facets of a subsiding landscape from coastal cities and wetlands to the continental shelf

Land subsidence is a settling, sinking, or collapse of the land surface. In the southeastern United States, subsidence is frequently observed as sinkhole collapse in karst environments, wetland degradation and loss in coastal and other low-lying areas, and inundation of coastal urban communities. Human activities such as fluid extraction, mining, and overburden alteration can cause or exacerbate s
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Natural Hazards, Water Resources, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC), Lower Mississippi-Gulf Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Chandeleur Islands to Breton Island bathymetric and topographic datasets and operational sediment budget development: Methodology and analysis report

This study is part of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring (BICM) program. The goal of the BICM program is to provide long-term data on the barrier islands of Louisiana for monitoring change and assisting in coastal management. The BICM program uses historical data and acquires new data to map and monitor shoreline position, sedi
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Chenier Plain region bathymetric and topographic datasets: Methodology report

The goal of the Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring (BICM) program is to provide long-term data on coastal Louisiana for monitoring change and assisting in coastal management. This study (carried out under Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority contract number 2000339324, BICM2—Chenier TopoBathy DEM) builds upon the previous BICM physical assessment of the Chenier Plain region
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Influence of antecedent geology on the Holocene formation and evolution of Horn Island, Mississippi, USA

Horn Island, one of the two most stable barriers along the Mississippi-Alabama chain (Cat, East and West Ship, Horn, West Petit Bois, Petit Bois, and Dauphin), provides critical habitat, helps regulate estuarine conditions in the Mississippi Sound, and reduces wave energy and storm surge before they reach the mainland shore. However, important details of the formation and evolution of the island i
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St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Impacts of sediment removal from and placement in coastal barrier island systems

Executive SummaryOn June 24, 2019, Congressman Raul Grijalva of Arizona, Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources, sent a letter to the directors of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Geological Survey to request their assistance in answering questions regarding coastal sediment resource management within the Coastal Barrier Resources System as defined by the Coastal Barrier

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Ecosystems, Natural Hazards, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Mendenhall Research Fellowship Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center

Seafloor change around the Mississippi barrier islands, 1920 to 2016—The influence of storm effects on inlet and island morphodynamics

The Mississippi Barrier Islands in the northern Gulf of Mexico experienced high rates of spatial change over recorded history. Wave-induced sediment transport induced island migration, landward retreat, and inlet evolution. These processes can be measured using repeat bathymetric surveys to analyze elevation change over time. This study analyzes digital elevation models created from three time per
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Louisiana Coastal Zone sediment characterization; comparison of sediment grain sizes for samples collected in 2008 and 2015–2016 from the western Chenier plain to the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana—Louisiana Barrier Island Comprehensive Monitoring (BICM) P

Repeated sampling and grain-size analysis of surficial sediments along the sandy shorelines of Louisiana is necessary to characterize coastal-zone sediment properties and evaluate sediment transport patterns within the nearshore environments. In 2008, and again in 2015 and 2016, sediment grab samples were collected along the shorelines of the western Chenier plain, the Isles Dernieres (Raccoon, Wh
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Late Quaternary evolution and stratigraphic framework influence on coastal systems along the north-central Gulf of Mexico, USA

Coastal systems in the Gulf of Mexico are threatened by reduced sediment supply, storm impacts and relative sea-level rise (RSLR). The geologic record provides insight into geomorphic evolution thresholds to these forcing mechanisms to help predict future barrier evolution in response to climate change. This study synthesizes ∼2100 km of geophysical data, 700 + sediment cores, and 62 radiocarbon d
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St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Application of sediment end-member analysis for understanding sediment fluxes, northern Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana

We analyzed grain-size distributions (GSDs) from a time-series of sediment samples to evaluate sediment transport following anthropogenic sand-berm emplacement at the northern Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana. End-member analysis (EMA) was applied to compare the end-member (EM) GSD of a known sediment source to GSDs from surrounding environments and characterize the physical redistribution of source
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Nearshore single-beam bathymetry data collected in 2015, Dauphin Island, Alabama

Dauphin Island, Alabama, is a barrier island located in the northern Gulf of Mexico that supports local residences, tourism, commercial infrastructure, and historic Fort Gaines. During the past decade, Dauphin Island was affected by several major hurricanes—Hurricanes Ivan (2004), Katrina (2005), and Isaac (2012)—and storms, along with sea-level rise, continue to present a threat to island stabili
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Nearshore coastal bathymetry data collected in 2016 from West Ship Island to Horn Island, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, conducted bathymetric surveys of the nearshore waters surrounding Ship and Horn Islands, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Mississippi. The objective of this study was to establish base-level elevation conditions around West Ship, East Ship, and H
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center

Analysis of seafloor change around Dauphin Island, Alabama, 1987–2015

Dauphin Island is a 26-km-long barrier island located southwest of Mobile Bay, Alabama, in the north-central Gulf of Mexico. The island contains sandy beaches, dunes, maritime forests, freshwater ponds and intertidal wetlands, providing habitat for many endangered and threatened species. Dauphin Island also provides protection for and maintains estuarine conditions within Mississippi Sound, suppor
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Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
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Alabama Barrier Island Restoration Assessment Project virtual public presentation

Scientists from across the southeast region, in collaboration with the USACE, participated in a live public webinar on June 9 to introduce results...

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The USGS participated in a 2-day virtual workshop focusing on research needs at Gulf Islands National Seashore

The objective of the workshop was to identify research and data needs to support a regional sediment budget, and opportunities for collaboration on...

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USGS Southeast Region Workshop: Documenting the multiple facets of a subsiding landscape from coastal cities and wetlands to the continental shelf

Workshop brings together USGS scientists from a variety of disciplines to identify current strengths and weakness in subsidence-related research.

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Big Bend Coastal Mapping Prioritization Workshop in Cedar Key, Florida

The USGS, FWRI, and FIO, as part of the Florida Coastal Mapping Program (FCMaP), are leading a coastal and seafloor mapping prioritization workshop on...

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Image: Cat Island, Mississippi, and Hurricane Katrina
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