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U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 503

Oblique Aerial Photography of the Arctic Coast of Alaska, Cape Sabine to Milne Point, July 16–19, 2009

By Ann E. Gibbs and Bruce M. Richmond

Introduction

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The Arctic Coastal Plain of northern Alaska, an area of strategic economic importance to the United States, is home to remote Native American communities and encompasses unique habitats of global significance. Coastal erosion along the Arctic coast is chronic and widespread; recent evidence suggests that erosion rates are among the highest in the world (as high as ~16 m/yr) and may be accelerating. Coastal erosion adversely impacts energy-related infrastructure, natural shoreline habitats, and Native American communities. Climate change is thought to be a key component of recent environmental changes in the Arctic. Reduced sea-ice cover in the Arctic Ocean is one of the probable mechanisms responsible for increasing coastal exposure to wave attack and the resulting increase in erosion. Extended periods of permafrost melting and associated decreases in bluff cohesion and stability are another possible source of the increase in erosion.

Several studies of selected areas on the Alaska coast document past shoreline positions and coastal change, but none have examined the entire North coast systematically. Results from these studies indicate high rates of coastal retreat that vary spatially along the coast. To address the need for a comprehensive and regionally consistent evaluation of shoreline change along the North coast of Alaska, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), as part of their Coastal and Marine Geology Program’s (CMGP) National Assessment of Shoreline Change Study, is evaluating shoreline change from Peard Bay to the United States/Canadian border, using historical maps and photography and a standardized methodology that is consistent with other shoreline-change studies along the Nation’s coastlines (see, for example, http://coastal.er.usgs.gov/shoreline-change/, last accessed February 12, 2010).

This is the second in a series of publications containing photographs collected during reconnaissance surveys conducted in support of the National Assessment of Shoreline Change Study. An accompanying ESRI ArcGIS shape file (and plaintext copy) indicates the position of the aircraft and time when each photograph was taken. The USGS-CMGP Field Activity ID for the survey is A-5-09-AK, and more information on the survey and how to view the photographs using Google Earth software is available online at http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/a/a509ak/kml/a-5-09-ak.photos.kmz (last accessed February 12, 2010). The initial report “Oblique aerial photography of the Arctic coast of Alaska, Nulavik to Demarcation Point, August 7–10, 2006” is available online at https://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/436/, and the associated Google Earth .kmz file is available at http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/a/a106ak/kml/a-1-06-ak.photos.kmz (last accessed February 12, 2010).

Also of Interest

Data Series 436, Oblique Aerial Photography of the Arctic Coast of Alaska, Nulavik to Demarcation Point, August 7–10, 2006, by Ann E. Gibbs and Bruce M. Richmond.

Last modified April 23, 2012
First posted May 13, 2010

  • This report is available only on the Web.

For additional information:
Contact Information, Western Coastal and Marine Geology
U.S. Geological Survey
345 Middlefield Road, MS-999
Menlo Park, CA 94025-3591
http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/

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Suggested citation:

Gibbs, A.E., and Richmond, B.M., 2010. Oblique aerial photography of the Arctic coast of Alaska, Cape Sabine to Milne Point, July 16–19, 2009: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 503, 4 p. and database.



Contents

Introduction

Survey Information

Photographic and GIS Data

Acknowledgments

References Cited

4,799 photographs

GIS shapefiles

metadata