Impacts of changing wave climate on barrier shorelines

Coastal barrier environments are dynamic landscapes that can change dramatically within human timescales. As sea level rises and storminess increases in association with climate change, wave behavior (dominant orientation, power) is also changing, with significant implications for the evolution of coastal landforms. Using a combination of field techniques, remote sensing, and GIS, we are studying the effects of changing wave climate on sediment transport and shoreline shape in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.