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Vulnerability of National Park Service Beaches to Inundation during a Direct Hurricane Landfall: Cape Lookout National Seashore

Open-File Report 2007-1376
Prepared in cooperation with the National Park Service
By:  and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20071376

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Abstract

Cape Lookout National Seashore, a barrier-island coastal park in North Carolina, is vulnerable to the powerful, sand-moving forces of hurricanes. Waves and storm surge associated with these strong tropical storms are part of a natural process in barrier-island evolution and can cause extensive morphologic changes in coastal parks, leading to road closures and reduced visitor accessibility. The vulnerability of park beaches to inundation, and associated extreme coastal change, during a direct hurricane landfall can be assessed by comparing the elevations of storm-induced mean-water levels (storm surge) to the elevations of the crest of the sand dune that defines the beach system. Maps detailing the inundation potential for Category 1-5 hurricanes can be used by park managers to determine the relative vulnerability of various barrier-island parks and to assess which areas of a particular park are more susceptible to inundation and extreme coastal changes.

Suggested Citation

Stockdon, H.F., Thompson, D.M., 2007, Vulnerability of National Park Service beaches to inundation during a direct hurricane landfall: Cape Lookout National Seashore: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1376, 8 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20071376.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

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Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Inundation Vulnerability
  • Rates of Recent Shoreline Change
  • Discussion
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Vulnerability of National Park Service beaches to inundation during a direct hurricane landfall: Cape Lookout National Seashore
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2007-1376
DOI 10.3133/ofr20071376
Year Published 2007
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 8 p.
Country United States
State North Carolina
Other Geospatial Cape Lookout National Seashore
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details