Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Li Erikson

Research Oceanographer at the USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 21
Storm clouds and rain during a convective storm over the tundra with water and ice on the coastal plain of Alaska.

Building a Coastal Flood Hazard Assessment and Adaptation Strategy with At-Risk Communities of Alaska

Coastal flooding and erosion caused by storms and sea-level rise threaten infrastructure and public safety in Alaska Native communities. Though the problem is well known, there are few tools that can assess local vulnerability to coastal flood hazards. Even fewer tools can be customized with specific community information to support local adaptation planning. The main goal of this...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Building a Coastal Flood Hazard Assessment and Adaptation Strategy with At-Risk Communities of Alaska

Building a Coastal Flood Hazard Assessment and Adaptation Strategy with At-Risk Communities of Alaska

Coastal flooding and erosion caused by storms and sea-level rise threaten infrastructure and public safety in Alaska Native communities. Though the problem is well known, there are few tools that can assess local vulnerability to coastal flood hazards. Even fewer tools can be customized with specific community information to support local adaptation planning. The main goal of this project is
Learn More
An interactive mapping application in which the user can choose parameters from the menus to create a computer model of flooding

Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS)

The Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS) makes detailed predictions of storm-induced coastal flooding, erosion, and cliff failures over large geographic scales. CoSMoS was developed for hindcast studies, operational applications and future climate scenarios to provide emergency responders and coastal planners with critical storm-hazards information that can be used to increase public safety...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Recovery Activities
Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS)

Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS)

The Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS) makes detailed predictions of storm-induced coastal flooding, erosion, and cliff failures over large geographic scales. CoSMoS was developed for hindcast studies, operational applications and future climate scenarios to provide emergency responders and coastal planners with critical storm-hazards information that can be used to increase public safety...
Learn More
View of a coastline from a camera that changes every half hour, with calm waters and tundra in foreground.

Using Video Imagery to Study Wave Dynamics: Unalakleet

USGS scientists installed two video cameras atop a windmill tower in Unalakleet, Alaska, pointing westward over Norton Sound, to observe and quantify coastal processes such as wave run-up, development of rip channels, bluff erosion, and movement of sandbars and ice floes.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Using Video Imagery to Study Wave Dynamics: Unalakleet

Using Video Imagery to Study Wave Dynamics: Unalakleet

USGS scientists installed two video cameras atop a windmill tower in Unalakleet, Alaska, pointing westward over Norton Sound, to observe and quantify coastal processes such as wave run-up, development of rip channels, bluff erosion, and movement of sandbars and ice floes.
Learn More
A camera system with two lenses mounted to a pole with wires running down the pole.

Using Video Imagery to Study Sediment Transport and Wave Dynamics: Nuvuk (Point Barrow)

Two coastal observing video cameras are installed atop a utility pole near the northernmost point of land in the United States, at Nuvuk (Point Barrow), Alaska. The cameras point northwest toward the Arctic Ocean and the boundary between the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, and will be used to observe and quantify coastal processes such as wave run-up, bluff erosion, movement of sandbars and ice floes...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Using Video Imagery to Study Sediment Transport and Wave Dynamics: Nuvuk (Point Barrow)

Using Video Imagery to Study Sediment Transport and Wave Dynamics: Nuvuk (Point Barrow)

Two coastal observing video cameras are installed atop a utility pole near the northernmost point of land in the United States, at Nuvuk (Point Barrow), Alaska. The cameras point northwest toward the Arctic Ocean and the boundary between the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, and will be used to observe and quantify coastal processes such as wave run-up, bluff erosion, movement of sandbars and ice floes...
Learn More
Map of a western coastline with stretches of the coast labeled to identify data set regions.

CoSMoS 3.1: Central California

CoSMoS v3.1 for central California shows projections for future climate scenarios (sea-level rise and storms)
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
CoSMoS 3.1: Central California

CoSMoS 3.1: Central California

CoSMoS v3.1 for central California shows projections for future climate scenarios (sea-level rise and storms)
Learn More
Map shows the outline of a coastal area with a bay inlet and an outline along the coast showing a study area.

CoSMoS 2.2: Pt. Arena and Russian River

Building on the initial work in the Bay Area and Outer Coast, CoSMoS 2.2 adds river flows to help users project combined river and coastal flooding along the northern California coast from Bodega Head to Point Arena.
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
CoSMoS 2.2: Pt. Arena and Russian River

CoSMoS 2.2: Pt. Arena and Russian River

Building on the initial work in the Bay Area and Outer Coast, CoSMoS 2.2 adds river flows to help users project combined river and coastal flooding along the northern California coast from Bodega Head to Point Arena.
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 31

CoSMoS-AK Modeled flood and erosion hazards at Utqiagvik - Coastal Alaska CoSMoS-AK Modeled flood and erosion hazards at Utqiagvik - Coastal Alaska

This data release consists of flood hazard maps from compound coastal hazards--specifically sea-level rise (SLR) and projected coastal storms. Products include projected flood depths, flood extents including uncertainties, water elevations, wave heights, velocity hazards, and erosion and sedimentation patterns. These are generated using a suite of numerical models driven by outputs from...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

CoSMoS-AK Modeled flood and erosion hazards at Elim - Coastal Alaska CoSMoS-AK Modeled flood and erosion hazards at Elim - Coastal Alaska

This data release consists of flood hazard maps from compound coastal hazards--specifically sea-level rise (SLR) and projected coastal storms. Products include projected flood depths, flood extents including uncertainties, water elevations, wave heights, velocity hazards, and erosion and sedimentation patterns. These are generated using a suite of numerical models driven by outputs from...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Topobathymetric digital elevation models - coastal Alaska Topobathymetric digital elevation models - coastal Alaska

This data release consists of a series of seamless topobathymetric digital elevation models (TBDEMs) for coastal Alaskan communities. Each TBDEM was assembled from best available, multi-source topographic and bathymetric elevation data collected at the time of processing. These products were created to support the development of dynamic flood models, but are also intended for reuse by...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

In situ field data, Coastal Alaska, 2023 to 2025 In situ field data, Coastal Alaska, 2023 to 2025

These field data such as first floor elevation and bathymetric surveys were collected to support development of coastal mapping products and advance storm response and recovery in Alaskan coastal communities. The data consists of essential community infrastructure elevation data to better understand flood exposure and support analysis of flood mitigation solutions, bathymetric surveys to...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Nearshore wave time-series along the coast of Alaska computed with a numerical wave model Nearshore wave time-series along the coast of Alaska computed with a numerical wave model

Alaska's Arctic coast has some of the highest erosion rates in the world. Erosion in the Arctic is primarily driven by permafrost thaw and wave activity. The warming climate decreases sea ice coverage, resulting in an increase in wave energy. To overcome the lack of available observational wave data in the nearshore, waves were downscaled with a numerical wave model (SWAN) utilizing...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal hazards assessment associated with sea level rise and storms along the Whatcom County, Northwest Washington State coast Coastal hazards assessment associated with sea level rise and storms along the Whatcom County, Northwest Washington State coast

This product contains several datasets that map exposure to future forecasted hazards related to coastal flooding and extreme wave heights accounting for sea level rise (SLR) and climate change along the Whatcom County coast of northwestern Washington State in the Salish Sea. The SLR scenarios encompass a plausible range of projections by 2100 based on the best available science and...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 87

The value of marsh restoration for flood risk reduction in an urban estuary The value of marsh restoration for flood risk reduction in an urban estuary

The use of nature-based solutions (NBS) for coastal climate adaptation has broad and growing interest, but NBS are rarely assessed with the same rigor as traditional engineering solutions or with respect to future climate change scenarios. These gaps pose challenges for the use of NBS for climate adaptation. Here, we value the flood protection benefits of stakeholder-identified marsh...
Authors
Rae Taylor-Burns, Chris Lowrie, Babak Tehranirad, Jeremy Lowe, Li Erikson, Patrick Barnard, Borja Reguero, Michael Beck
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Database and time series of nearshore waves along the Alaskan coast from the United States-Canada border to the Bering Sea Database and time series of nearshore waves along the Alaskan coast from the United States-Canada border to the Bering Sea

Alaska’s Arctic coast has some of the highest coastal erosion rates in the world, primarily driven by permafrost thaw and increasing wave energy. In the Arctic, a warming climate is driving sea ice cover to decrease in space and time. A lack of long-term observational wave data along Alaska’s coast challenges the ability of engineers, scientists, and planners to study and address threats...
Authors
Anita C. Engelstad, Li Erikson, Borja Reguero, Ann Gibbs, Kees Nederhoff
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Forecasting storm-induced coastal flooding for 21st century sea-level rise scenarios in the Hawaiian, Mariana, and American Samoan Islands Forecasting storm-induced coastal flooding for 21st century sea-level rise scenarios in the Hawaiian, Mariana, and American Samoan Islands

Oceanographic, coastal engineering, ecologic, and geospatial data and tools were combined to evaluate the increased risks of storm-induced coastal flooding in the populated Hawaiian, Mariana, and American Samoan Islands as a result of climate change and sea-level rise. We followed a hybrid (dynamical and statistical) downscaling approach to map flooding due to waves and storm surge at 10...
Authors
Curt Storlazzi, Borja Reguero, Camila Gaido L., Kristen Alkins, Chris Lowry, Cornelis Nederhoff, Li Erikson, Andrea C. O'Neill, Michael Beck
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Advanced quantitative precipitation information: Improving monitoring and forecasts of precipitation, streamflow, and coastal flooding in the San Francisco Bay area Advanced quantitative precipitation information: Improving monitoring and forecasts of precipitation, streamflow, and coastal flooding in the San Francisco Bay area

Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information (AQPI) is a synergistic project that combines observations and models to improve monitoring and forecasts of precipitation, streamflow, and coastal flooding in the San Francisco Bay Area. As an experimental system, AQPI leverages more than a decade of research, innovation, and implementation of a statewide, state-of-the-art network of...
Authors
Robert Cifelli, V Chandrasekar, Liv Herdman, Dave Turner, A. White, M. Alcott, M. Anderson, Patrick Barnard, S.K. Biswas, M. Boucher, J. Bytheway, H. Chen, H. Cutler, M. English, Li Erikson, F. Junyent, L. E. Johnson, J. Krebs, J. van de Lindt, J. Kim, Marty Leonard, Y. Ma, M. Marquis, W. Moninger, G. Pratt, C. Radhakrishnan, Michael Shields, J. Spaulding, Babak Tehranirad, R. Webb
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Wind-wave climate changes and their impacts Wind-wave climate changes and their impacts

Wind-waves have an important role in Earth system dynamics through air–sea interactions and are key drivers of coastal and offshore hydro-morphodynamics that affect communities, ecosystems, infrastructure and operations. In this Review, we outline historical and projected changes in the wind-wave climate over the world’s oceans, and their impacts. Historical trend analysis is challenging...
Authors
Merce Casas-Prat, Mark Hemer, Guillaume Dodet, Joao Morim, Xiaolan Wang, Nobuhito Mori, Ian Young, Li Erikson, Bahareh Kamranzad, Prashant Kumar, Melisa Menendez, Justin Stopa, Yang Feng
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Modeling extreme water levels in the Salish Sea: The importance of including remote sea level anomalies for application in hydrodynamic simulations Modeling extreme water levels in the Salish Sea: The importance of including remote sea level anomalies for application in hydrodynamic simulations

Extreme water-level recurrence estimates for a complex estuary using a high-resolution 2D model and a new method for estimating remotely generated sea level anomalies (SLAs) at the model boundary have been developed. The hydrodynamic model accurately resolves the dominant physical processes contributing to extreme water levels across the Washington State waters of the Salish Sea...
Authors
Eric Grossman, Babak Tehranirad, Kees Nederhoff, Sean Crosby, Andrew Stevens, Nathan VanArendonk, Daniel Nowacki, Li Erikson, Patrick Barnard
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Filter Total Items: 20
Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information System Enhances Flood Prediction in San Francisco Bay Area

Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information System Enhances Flood Prediction in San Francisco Bay Area

In recently published research, a consortium of local, state, and federal agencies including USGS and NOAA introduces the Advanced Quantitative...

Read Article
Modeling Wave Dynamics to Assess Coastal Erosion Threats Along Alaska's Arctic Coast

Modeling Wave Dynamics to Assess Coastal Erosion Threats Along Alaska's Arctic Coast

In a recently published study, scientists from the US Geological Survey (USGS), University of California Santa Cruz, and Deltares employed advanced...

Read Article
Restoring Marshes as a Cost-Effective Climate Adaptation Solution for San Mateo County

Restoring Marshes as a Cost-Effective Climate Adaptation Solution for San Mateo County

Climate change-induced flooding threatens coastlines around the world. A new study from researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, the...

Read Article
Forecasting Storm-Induced Coastal Flooding for the Hawaiian, Mariana, and American Samoan Islands

Forecasting Storm-Induced Coastal Flooding for the Hawaiian, Mariana, and American Samoan Islands

A team of USGS researchers and partners has integrated oceanographic, coastal engineering, ecological, and geospatial data and tools to model the...

Read Article
USGS scientists help lead development of crucial climate report

USGS scientists help lead development of crucial climate report

Meet the five USGS scientists who served as coordinating lead authors for the Fifth National Climate Assessment. 

Read Article
Cutting-Edge Storm Modeling System Forecasts Future Coastal Hazards in the Salish Sea

Cutting-Edge Storm Modeling System Forecasts Future Coastal Hazards in the Salish Sea

Three new studies from USGS and partners use an advanced coastal-storm modeling system to deliver fine-scale projections of wave behavior, flood...

Read Article

Science and Products

Filter Total Items: 21
Storm clouds and rain during a convective storm over the tundra with water and ice on the coastal plain of Alaska.

Building a Coastal Flood Hazard Assessment and Adaptation Strategy with At-Risk Communities of Alaska

Coastal flooding and erosion caused by storms and sea-level rise threaten infrastructure and public safety in Alaska Native communities. Though the problem is well known, there are few tools that can assess local vulnerability to coastal flood hazards. Even fewer tools can be customized with specific community information to support local adaptation planning. The main goal of this...
By
Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Building a Coastal Flood Hazard Assessment and Adaptation Strategy with At-Risk Communities of Alaska

Building a Coastal Flood Hazard Assessment and Adaptation Strategy with At-Risk Communities of Alaska

Coastal flooding and erosion caused by storms and sea-level rise threaten infrastructure and public safety in Alaska Native communities. Though the problem is well known, there are few tools that can assess local vulnerability to coastal flood hazards. Even fewer tools can be customized with specific community information to support local adaptation planning. The main goal of this project is
Learn More
An interactive mapping application in which the user can choose parameters from the menus to create a computer model of flooding

Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS)

The Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS) makes detailed predictions of storm-induced coastal flooding, erosion, and cliff failures over large geographic scales. CoSMoS was developed for hindcast studies, operational applications and future climate scenarios to provide emergency responders and coastal planners with critical storm-hazards information that can be used to increase public safety...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center, Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Recovery Activities
Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS)

Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS)

The Coastal Storm Modeling System (CoSMoS) makes detailed predictions of storm-induced coastal flooding, erosion, and cliff failures over large geographic scales. CoSMoS was developed for hindcast studies, operational applications and future climate scenarios to provide emergency responders and coastal planners with critical storm-hazards information that can be used to increase public safety...
Learn More
View of a coastline from a camera that changes every half hour, with calm waters and tundra in foreground.

Using Video Imagery to Study Wave Dynamics: Unalakleet

USGS scientists installed two video cameras atop a windmill tower in Unalakleet, Alaska, pointing westward over Norton Sound, to observe and quantify coastal processes such as wave run-up, development of rip channels, bluff erosion, and movement of sandbars and ice floes.
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Using Video Imagery to Study Wave Dynamics: Unalakleet

Using Video Imagery to Study Wave Dynamics: Unalakleet

USGS scientists installed two video cameras atop a windmill tower in Unalakleet, Alaska, pointing westward over Norton Sound, to observe and quantify coastal processes such as wave run-up, development of rip channels, bluff erosion, and movement of sandbars and ice floes.
Learn More
A camera system with two lenses mounted to a pole with wires running down the pole.

Using Video Imagery to Study Sediment Transport and Wave Dynamics: Nuvuk (Point Barrow)

Two coastal observing video cameras are installed atop a utility pole near the northernmost point of land in the United States, at Nuvuk (Point Barrow), Alaska. The cameras point northwest toward the Arctic Ocean and the boundary between the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, and will be used to observe and quantify coastal processes such as wave run-up, bluff erosion, movement of sandbars and ice floes...
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Using Video Imagery to Study Sediment Transport and Wave Dynamics: Nuvuk (Point Barrow)

Using Video Imagery to Study Sediment Transport and Wave Dynamics: Nuvuk (Point Barrow)

Two coastal observing video cameras are installed atop a utility pole near the northernmost point of land in the United States, at Nuvuk (Point Barrow), Alaska. The cameras point northwest toward the Arctic Ocean and the boundary between the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, and will be used to observe and quantify coastal processes such as wave run-up, bluff erosion, movement of sandbars and ice floes...
Learn More
Map of a western coastline with stretches of the coast labeled to identify data set regions.

CoSMoS 3.1: Central California

CoSMoS v3.1 for central California shows projections for future climate scenarios (sea-level rise and storms)
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
CoSMoS 3.1: Central California

CoSMoS 3.1: Central California

CoSMoS v3.1 for central California shows projections for future climate scenarios (sea-level rise and storms)
Learn More
Map shows the outline of a coastal area with a bay inlet and an outline along the coast showing a study area.

CoSMoS 2.2: Pt. Arena and Russian River

Building on the initial work in the Bay Area and Outer Coast, CoSMoS 2.2 adds river flows to help users project combined river and coastal flooding along the northern California coast from Bodega Head to Point Arena.
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
CoSMoS 2.2: Pt. Arena and Russian River

CoSMoS 2.2: Pt. Arena and Russian River

Building on the initial work in the Bay Area and Outer Coast, CoSMoS 2.2 adds river flows to help users project combined river and coastal flooding along the northern California coast from Bodega Head to Point Arena.
Learn More
Filter Total Items: 31

CoSMoS-AK Modeled flood and erosion hazards at Utqiagvik - Coastal Alaska CoSMoS-AK Modeled flood and erosion hazards at Utqiagvik - Coastal Alaska

This data release consists of flood hazard maps from compound coastal hazards--specifically sea-level rise (SLR) and projected coastal storms. Products include projected flood depths, flood extents including uncertainties, water elevations, wave heights, velocity hazards, and erosion and sedimentation patterns. These are generated using a suite of numerical models driven by outputs from...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

CoSMoS-AK Modeled flood and erosion hazards at Elim - Coastal Alaska CoSMoS-AK Modeled flood and erosion hazards at Elim - Coastal Alaska

This data release consists of flood hazard maps from compound coastal hazards--specifically sea-level rise (SLR) and projected coastal storms. Products include projected flood depths, flood extents including uncertainties, water elevations, wave heights, velocity hazards, and erosion and sedimentation patterns. These are generated using a suite of numerical models driven by outputs from...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Topobathymetric digital elevation models - coastal Alaska Topobathymetric digital elevation models - coastal Alaska

This data release consists of a series of seamless topobathymetric digital elevation models (TBDEMs) for coastal Alaskan communities. Each TBDEM was assembled from best available, multi-source topographic and bathymetric elevation data collected at the time of processing. These products were created to support the development of dynamic flood models, but are also intended for reuse by...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

In situ field data, Coastal Alaska, 2023 to 2025 In situ field data, Coastal Alaska, 2023 to 2025

These field data such as first floor elevation and bathymetric surveys were collected to support development of coastal mapping products and advance storm response and recovery in Alaskan coastal communities. The data consists of essential community infrastructure elevation data to better understand flood exposure and support analysis of flood mitigation solutions, bathymetric surveys to...
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Nearshore wave time-series along the coast of Alaska computed with a numerical wave model Nearshore wave time-series along the coast of Alaska computed with a numerical wave model

Alaska's Arctic coast has some of the highest erosion rates in the world. Erosion in the Arctic is primarily driven by permafrost thaw and wave activity. The warming climate decreases sea ice coverage, resulting in an increase in wave energy. To overcome the lack of available observational wave data in the nearshore, waves were downscaled with a numerical wave model (SWAN) utilizing...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Coastal hazards assessment associated with sea level rise and storms along the Whatcom County, Northwest Washington State coast Coastal hazards assessment associated with sea level rise and storms along the Whatcom County, Northwest Washington State coast

This product contains several datasets that map exposure to future forecasted hazards related to coastal flooding and extreme wave heights accounting for sea level rise (SLR) and climate change along the Whatcom County coast of northwestern Washington State in the Salish Sea. The SLR scenarios encompass a plausible range of projections by 2100 based on the best available science and...
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
No results found.
Filter Total Items: 87

The value of marsh restoration for flood risk reduction in an urban estuary The value of marsh restoration for flood risk reduction in an urban estuary

The use of nature-based solutions (NBS) for coastal climate adaptation has broad and growing interest, but NBS are rarely assessed with the same rigor as traditional engineering solutions or with respect to future climate change scenarios. These gaps pose challenges for the use of NBS for climate adaptation. Here, we value the flood protection benefits of stakeholder-identified marsh...
Authors
Rae Taylor-Burns, Chris Lowrie, Babak Tehranirad, Jeremy Lowe, Li Erikson, Patrick Barnard, Borja Reguero, Michael Beck
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Database and time series of nearshore waves along the Alaskan coast from the United States-Canada border to the Bering Sea Database and time series of nearshore waves along the Alaskan coast from the United States-Canada border to the Bering Sea

Alaska’s Arctic coast has some of the highest coastal erosion rates in the world, primarily driven by permafrost thaw and increasing wave energy. In the Arctic, a warming climate is driving sea ice cover to decrease in space and time. A lack of long-term observational wave data along Alaska’s coast challenges the ability of engineers, scientists, and planners to study and address threats...
Authors
Anita C. Engelstad, Li Erikson, Borja Reguero, Ann Gibbs, Kees Nederhoff
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Forecasting storm-induced coastal flooding for 21st century sea-level rise scenarios in the Hawaiian, Mariana, and American Samoan Islands Forecasting storm-induced coastal flooding for 21st century sea-level rise scenarios in the Hawaiian, Mariana, and American Samoan Islands

Oceanographic, coastal engineering, ecologic, and geospatial data and tools were combined to evaluate the increased risks of storm-induced coastal flooding in the populated Hawaiian, Mariana, and American Samoan Islands as a result of climate change and sea-level rise. We followed a hybrid (dynamical and statistical) downscaling approach to map flooding due to waves and storm surge at 10...
Authors
Curt Storlazzi, Borja Reguero, Camila Gaido L., Kristen Alkins, Chris Lowry, Cornelis Nederhoff, Li Erikson, Andrea C. O'Neill, Michael Beck
By
Natural Hazards Mission Area, Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Advanced quantitative precipitation information: Improving monitoring and forecasts of precipitation, streamflow, and coastal flooding in the San Francisco Bay area Advanced quantitative precipitation information: Improving monitoring and forecasts of precipitation, streamflow, and coastal flooding in the San Francisco Bay area

Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information (AQPI) is a synergistic project that combines observations and models to improve monitoring and forecasts of precipitation, streamflow, and coastal flooding in the San Francisco Bay Area. As an experimental system, AQPI leverages more than a decade of research, innovation, and implementation of a statewide, state-of-the-art network of...
Authors
Robert Cifelli, V Chandrasekar, Liv Herdman, Dave Turner, A. White, M. Alcott, M. Anderson, Patrick Barnard, S.K. Biswas, M. Boucher, J. Bytheway, H. Chen, H. Cutler, M. English, Li Erikson, F. Junyent, L. E. Johnson, J. Krebs, J. van de Lindt, J. Kim, Marty Leonard, Y. Ma, M. Marquis, W. Moninger, G. Pratt, C. Radhakrishnan, Michael Shields, J. Spaulding, Babak Tehranirad, R. Webb
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Wind-wave climate changes and their impacts Wind-wave climate changes and their impacts

Wind-waves have an important role in Earth system dynamics through air–sea interactions and are key drivers of coastal and offshore hydro-morphodynamics that affect communities, ecosystems, infrastructure and operations. In this Review, we outline historical and projected changes in the wind-wave climate over the world’s oceans, and their impacts. Historical trend analysis is challenging...
Authors
Merce Casas-Prat, Mark Hemer, Guillaume Dodet, Joao Morim, Xiaolan Wang, Nobuhito Mori, Ian Young, Li Erikson, Bahareh Kamranzad, Prashant Kumar, Melisa Menendez, Justin Stopa, Yang Feng
By
Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program, Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center

Modeling extreme water levels in the Salish Sea: The importance of including remote sea level anomalies for application in hydrodynamic simulations Modeling extreme water levels in the Salish Sea: The importance of including remote sea level anomalies for application in hydrodynamic simulations

Extreme water-level recurrence estimates for a complex estuary using a high-resolution 2D model and a new method for estimating remotely generated sea level anomalies (SLAs) at the model boundary have been developed. The hydrodynamic model accurately resolves the dominant physical processes contributing to extreme water levels across the Washington State waters of the Salish Sea...
Authors
Eric Grossman, Babak Tehranirad, Kees Nederhoff, Sean Crosby, Andrew Stevens, Nathan VanArendonk, Daniel Nowacki, Li Erikson, Patrick Barnard
By
Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Filter Total Items: 20
Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information System Enhances Flood Prediction in San Francisco Bay Area

Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information System Enhances Flood Prediction in San Francisco Bay Area

In recently published research, a consortium of local, state, and federal agencies including USGS and NOAA introduces the Advanced Quantitative...

Read Article
Modeling Wave Dynamics to Assess Coastal Erosion Threats Along Alaska's Arctic Coast

Modeling Wave Dynamics to Assess Coastal Erosion Threats Along Alaska's Arctic Coast

In a recently published study, scientists from the US Geological Survey (USGS), University of California Santa Cruz, and Deltares employed advanced...

Read Article
Restoring Marshes as a Cost-Effective Climate Adaptation Solution for San Mateo County

Restoring Marshes as a Cost-Effective Climate Adaptation Solution for San Mateo County

Climate change-induced flooding threatens coastlines around the world. A new study from researchers at the University of California, Santa Cruz, the...

Read Article
Forecasting Storm-Induced Coastal Flooding for the Hawaiian, Mariana, and American Samoan Islands

Forecasting Storm-Induced Coastal Flooding for the Hawaiian, Mariana, and American Samoan Islands

A team of USGS researchers and partners has integrated oceanographic, coastal engineering, ecological, and geospatial data and tools to model the...

Read Article
USGS scientists help lead development of crucial climate report

USGS scientists help lead development of crucial climate report

Meet the five USGS scientists who served as coordinating lead authors for the Fifth National Climate Assessment. 

Read Article
Cutting-Edge Storm Modeling System Forecasts Future Coastal Hazards in the Salish Sea

Cutting-Edge Storm Modeling System Forecasts Future Coastal Hazards in the Salish Sea

Three new studies from USGS and partners use an advanced coastal-storm modeling system to deliver fine-scale projections of wave behavior, flood...

Read Article
Was this page helpful?