Shoreline Change on the East Coast: Exploring the Role of Shoreline Curvature

Abstract

The low sloping sandy shoreline of the East Coast is one of the most dynamic and complicated systems influenced by a series of factors. Shoreline curvature has been mentioned in several pieces of literature as one of these factors, as it influences the shaping processes of the shoreline through affecting the alongshore sediment transport. However, only a few quantitative research or evidence has been provided to show the curvature influence on shoreline change rate. Using the coastline contour data of the east coast, the curvature has been calculated and smoothed on different scales (1-km, 3-km and 5-km) in this project. The results of correlation analysis of selected shoreline segments in Florida and North Carolina indicate the existence of a significant correlation between curvature and shoreline change rate. The greatest coefficient was observed on the 3-km scale of selected shoreline segments, which is similar to previous foundings. The results also show that the strength of correlation varies from one location to another.