The roles of storminess and sea level rise in decadal barrier island evolution

Geophysical Research Letters
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Abstract

Models of alongshore sediment transport during quiescent conditions, storm‐driven barrier island morphology, and poststorm dune recovery are integrated to assess decadal barrier island evolution under scenarios of increased sea levels and variability in storminess (intensity and frequency). Model results indicate barrier island response regimes of keeping pace, narrowing, flattening, deflation (narrowing and flattening), and aggradation. Under lower storminess scenarios, more areas of the island experienced narrowing due to collision. Under higher storminess scenarios, more areas experienced flattening due to overwash and inundation. Both increased sea levels and increased storminess resulted in breaching when the majority of the island was not keeping pace and deflation was the dominant regime due to increased overtopping. Under the highest storminess scenario, the island was unable to recover elevation after storms and drowned in just 10 years.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title The roles of storminess and sea level rise in decadal barrier island evolution
Series title Geophysical Research Letters
DOI 10.1029/2020GL089370
Volume 47
Issue 18
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher American Geophysical Union
Contributing office(s) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description e2020GL089370, 8 p.
Country United States
State Alabama
Other Geospatial Dauphin Island
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