Figure 1. Map of the Coastal Vulnerability Index (C.V.I.) for the U.S. Atlantic coast. The C.V.I. shows the relative vulnerability of the coast to changes due to future rise in sea-level. Areas along the coast are assigned a ranking from low to high risk, based on the analysis of physical variables that contribute to coastal change.
One of the most important applied problems in coastal geology
today is determining the physical response of the coastline to
sea-level rise. Prediction of shoreline retreat and land loss rates
is critical to the planning of future coastal zone management
strategies, and assessing biological impacts due to habitat changes
or destruction. Presently, long-term (>50 years) coastal
planning and decision-making has been done piecemeal, if at all,
for the nation's shoreline (National Research Council, 1990; 1995).
Consequently, facilities are being located and entire communities
are being developed without adequate consideration of the potential
costs of protecting or relocating them from sea level rise-related
erosion, flooding and storm damage.
This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards or with the North American Stratigraphic Code. Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.