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Bathymetric change off the Washington-Oregon coast

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Abstract

Historical hydrographic data from the Washington/Oregon shelf are compared for the first time to identify bathymetric change on a regional scale. Offshore data sets exist for four time periods: 1800s, pre-1950s, post-1950s, and 1990s. Data from only two time periods, 1868-87 and 1926-27, cover the entire offshore region between Tillamook Head, Oregon and Grays Harbor, Washington. A confidence interval of + or -1.7 m is established for the bathymetric comparison between these two data sets. Wide trackline spacings within the 1868/87 surveys, sounding errors due to horizontal positioning inaccuracies and heavy seas and currents encountered during the surveys, questionable tidal correction methods, and vertical datum inconsistencies, compose most of the uncertainties in this data set. Surveys collected closer to shore, in water depths less than -30 m, contain smaller errors and define the sea-floor morphology well. Errors and uncertainties increase with depth and distance offshore. Comparison between these two surveys shows large areas of both accretion and erosion on the shelf between the shoreline and -70 m of water, with the greatest change occurring off the mouth of the Columbia River. Quantitative analysis and interpretation of the regional bathymetric changes within the Columbia River Littoral Cell should be approached with caution and with a thorough knowledge of the error distribution and uncertainties associated with the data set.

Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Bathymetric change off the Washington-Oregon coast
Volume 4
Issue 2
Year Published 1999
Language English
Description 16 p.
Larger Work Type Conference Paper
Larger Work Subtype Conference Paper
Larger Work Title 4th international symposium on Coastal engineering and science of coastal sediment processes; Scales of coastal sediment motion and geomorphic change
First page 1627
Last page 1642
Country United States
State Oregon, Washington
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