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Observed changes in hurricane-driven waves explain the dynamics of modern cuspate shorelines

Publication ,  Journal Article
Moore, LJ; McNamara, DE; Murray, AB; Brenner, O
Published in: Geophysical Research Letters
November 28, 2013

A comparison between historical and recent shoreline-change rates on the U.S. east coast (based on observed shoreline positions from the last century and a half) shows that emergent, large-scale, cuspate coastline features are changing shape, becoming more asymmetrical. This change in coastline shape arises from spatial shifts in the location of erosion and accretion zones. Using a numerical model of coastline change forced by wave-driven alongshore sediment flux, we show that a previously identified shift in hurricane-generated wave climate explains the patterns of coastline change we observe. Our results reveal a previously unrecognized type of large-scale, chronic landscape response to changing forcing. Though demonstrated here for a cuspate coastline, similar large-scale morphological adjustments are likely to occur along coastlines of varying morphology in the future - as global warming continues, along with the associated intensification of storms. Our approach allows for constraining and predicting future shifts in coastline shape.

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Published In

Geophysical Research Letters

DOI

EISSN

1944-8007

ISSN

0094-8276

Publication Date

November 28, 2013

Volume

40

Issue

22

Start / End Page

5867 / 5871

Related Subject Headings

  • Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
 

Citation

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Moore, L. J., McNamara, D. E., Murray, A. B., & Brenner, O. (2013). Observed changes in hurricane-driven waves explain the dynamics of modern cuspate shorelines. Geophysical Research Letters, 40(22), 5867–5871. https://doi.org/10.1002/2013GL057311
Moore, L. J., D. E. McNamara, A. B. Murray, and O. Brenner. “Observed changes in hurricane-driven waves explain the dynamics of modern cuspate shorelines.” Geophysical Research Letters 40, no. 22 (November 28, 2013): 5867–71. https://doi.org/10.1002/2013GL057311.
Moore LJ, McNamara DE, Murray AB, Brenner O. Observed changes in hurricane-driven waves explain the dynamics of modern cuspate shorelines. Geophysical Research Letters. 2013 Nov 28;40(22):5867–71.
Moore, L. J., et al. “Observed changes in hurricane-driven waves explain the dynamics of modern cuspate shorelines.” Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 40, no. 22, Nov. 2013, pp. 5867–71. Scopus, doi:10.1002/2013GL057311.
Moore LJ, McNamara DE, Murray AB, Brenner O. Observed changes in hurricane-driven waves explain the dynamics of modern cuspate shorelines. Geophysical Research Letters. 2013 Nov 28;40(22):5867–5871.
Journal cover image

Published In

Geophysical Research Letters

DOI

EISSN

1944-8007

ISSN

0094-8276

Publication Date

November 28, 2013

Volume

40

Issue

22

Start / End Page

5867 / 5871

Related Subject Headings

  • Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences