This study examined grain-size distributions to address questions regarding geological and oceanographic controls on island morphodynamics along one of the longest undeveloped, mixed-energy barrier island systems in the world. In particular, statistical analyses (i.e. analysis of variance, Tukey honest significant difference multiple comparison tests, nonparametric statistics and linear regression analysis) of 230 barrier island samples from Ocean City Inlet, Maryland, to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and 134 nearshore samples (d ≤ 10 m) identified grain-size trends related to the morphodynamic characteristics of these systems. In general, the Virginia barrier islands north of Wachapreague Inlet and Assateague Island form a statistically different subset of grain sizes (medium-grained to coarse-grained sand) from the islands south of Wachapreague Inlet (fine-grained sand). These textural trends corroborate the Pleistocene headlands of the Delmarva coastal compartment as the sediment source and indicate that some of the coarsegrained to medium-grained sediment bypasses the large sinks in the net southward longshore sediment transport system (i.e. Fishing Point and Chincoteague Inlet). This research also demonstrates that the preferential accumulation of coarse-grained to medium-grained sand on the ebb-tidal delta at Wachapreague Inlet probably controls the erosional morphodynamics of the islands located downdrift (south) of the inlet. These results suggest that an increase in tidal prism, set up by sea-level rise and/or a shift in wave climate/refraction patterns, may lead to barrier island fragmentation and a runaway transgression of this predominantly natural barrier island system. Consequently, a grain analysis of major coastal compartments, across multiple driving forces, can be used to assess coastal morphodynamics and the potential impact of climate change on coastal systems.
Island." 2 These two reports, issued respectively as U.S. Geological Survey Professional Papers 1177-B and 1177-A, were produced to demonstrate and promote the application of Earth-science information to sound environmental planning. Since its original release, "The Outer Banks of North Carolina" has been through four printings and has become one of the U.S. Geological Survey's most popular books, particularly among those who vacation on the Outer Banks. Although much of the information contained in the original report has a timeless quality from an historical geology perspective, much of the report describes very dynamic processes; changes in barrier island landscapes are common. Additionally, in the two decades after its initial release, human development of the Outer Banks expanded more than during the previous three centuries. As a result, many sections of the report were out of date and in need of revision. This second edition of "The Outer Banks of North Carolina" is not simply a revised or updated version of the original; it is a rewritten book containing new and expanded sections, more-detailed illustrations, and current information on coastal science. This book collects into one volume sketches, diagrams, and historical photographs that richly illustrate the natural and cultural history of the Outer Banks. In addition to being a valuable source of scientific information on the natural history and dynamics of these unique barrier islands, as well as on the effects of human activities on them, this book will deepen the experience of everyone who visits the Outer Banks. Finally, I was saddened to learn that two weeks after this book was approved for publication, the senior author, Robert Dolan, passed away. Bob was my major professor in my Ph.D. program at the University of Virginia; from him I gained a deep appreciation of the forces that shape the coast and the inherent majesty of our barrier islands. Although Bob had spent his professional career as a member of the faculty at the University of Virginia, he had been a collaborator, consultant, and friend to numerous researchers and managers at the U.S. Geological Survey for nearly 50 years. His passing is a loss for all of us who had the pleasure of working with him during those years.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.