Geomorphic Consequences of Wave Climate Alteration Along Cuspate Coastlines

Geomorphic Consequences of Wave Climate Alteration Along Cuspate Coastlines Public Deposited

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Johnson, Jennifer Mason
- Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Geological Sciences

Abstract

Cuspate coastlines are particularly sensitive to changes in wave climate and represent the best type of coastline for detecting initial responses to changing wave conditions. Previous work indicates that Capes Hatteras and Lookout in North Carolina--which are largely unaffected by shoreline stabilization efforts--have become increasingly asymmetric in shape in response to changes in Atlantic wave climate. Using shoreline change observations, nourishment data, wave climate data and model experiments, we find similar responses to wave climate change along Cape Fear, NC, discernible via temporal and spatial patterns of beach nourishment. Analyses of cuspate features in areas where the change in wave climate has been less pronounced (e.g., Fishing Point, MD & VA) or where local geology likely controls coastline shape (i.e., Cape Canaveral, FL), suggest that coastline shape changes in response to shifting wave climate are currently limited to sandy wave-dominated coastlines where wave climate changes are most pronounced.

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