See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Military Geology in the 21st Century
Abstract:
To sustain amphibious training activities at this site into the future, it is important to determine the underlying causes behind observed along-beach variations in erosion rates. Based on measurements from the North Carolina Department of Coastal Management, the southern beach zone is eroding at an average annual rate of 3-6 m per year while erosion rates decrease towards the north to less than 1 m per year. The impacts of variations in underlying geology, management, and land use on beach erosion are being examined using sediment core, seismic, remote sensing, granulometric, and minerologic data. Here, we present preliminary data and results from monitoring and research activities conducted over the past year. Gravel (shell hash) is generally more abundant towards the south and Pleistocene paleochannels intersect the southern beach zone. The contact between the Oligocene Belgrade (limestone and sandstone) and Silverdale (quartz sandstone) formations is near Brown's Inlet. Both of these formations are exposed seaward of the shoreface, where the bathymetry is irregular and likely influences coastal morphology.
See more from this Division: Topical Sessions
See more from this Session: Military Geology in the 21st Century