Coastal & Marine Geology Program > National Assessment of Coastal Change Hazards > Open File Report 03-337

An Overview of Coastal Land Loss: With Emphasis on the Southeastern United States

USGS Open File Report 03-337

by: Robert A. Morton

Summary Introduction Physical Agents of Land Loss: Waves, Currents, & Storm Surges Landslides & Cliff Retreat Sediment Budget Relative Sea Level Climate & Land Loss Role of Shoreline Characteristics: Composition, Induration, & Saturation Coastal Morphology & Vegetation Role of Human Activities: Introduction Transportation Coastal Construction River Modification Hydrocarbon & Groundwater Extraction Climate Alteration Coastal Excavation Wetland Losses Acknowledgments References

Acknowledgments This work was completed as part of the US Geological Survey National Assessment of Coastal Change Project. Some of the text and diagrams were initially prepared as part of a short course on coastal land loss presented in collaboration with Orrin Pilkey (Duke University) and Joe Kelley (University of Maine). Betsy Boynton prepared the illustrations and Jolene Shirley designed the web page layout. Ginger Garrison and John Lisle conducted critical reviews that improved the accuracy and clarity of the report. continue to References

Coastal & Marine Geology Program > National Assessment of Coastal Change Hazards > Open File Report 03-337