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Vulnerability of National Park Service Beaches to Inundation during a Direct Hurricane Landfall: Cumberland Island National Seashore

Open-File Report 2007-1387
Prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service
By: , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20071387

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Abstract

Cumberland Island National Seashore, a barrier-island coastal park in Georgia, is vulnerable to the powerful, sand-moving forces of hurricanes. Waves and storm surge associated with these strong tropical storms are part of the natural process of barrier-island evolution and can cause extensive morphologic changes in coastal parks, leading to reduced visitor accessibility and enjoyment. The vulnerability of park beaches to inundation, and associated extreme coastal change, during a direct hurricane landfall can be assessed by comparing the elevations of storm-induced mean-water levels (storm surge) to the elevations of the crest of the sand dune that defines the beach system. Maps detailing the inundation potential for Category 1-5 hurricanes can be used by park managers to determine the relative vulnerability of various barrier-island parks and to assess which areas of a particular park are more susceptible to inundation and extreme coastal changes.

Suggested Citation

Stockdon, H.F., Thompson, D.M., and Fauver, L.A., 2007, Vulnerability of National Park Service beaches to inundation during a direct hurricane landfall: Cumberland Island National Seashore: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1387, Web Only.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Inundation Vulnerability
  • Rates of Recent Shoreline Change
  • Discussion
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Vulnerability of National Park Service beaches to inundation during a direct hurricane landfall: Cumberland Island National Seashore
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2007-1387
DOI 10.3133/ofr20071387
Year Published 2007
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 8 p.
Country United States
State Georgia
Other Geospatial Cumberland Island National Seashore
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details