Beach Changes on Eastern Cape Cod, Massachusetts, from Newcomb Hollow to Nauset Inlet, 1970-1974.
Abstract
Beach profile data taken at 13 profile lines on outer Cape Cod between August 1970 and June 1974 were analyzed to determine trends in profile variability on long-term, seasonal, and short-term time scales and in the longshore and onshore-offshore directions. The 10 northernmost profile lines were backed by steep bluffs of unconsolidated glacial drift, while the remainder were backed by dunes of varying height. Bluff recession rates during the study averaged 0.83 meter per year with a maximum and a minimum of 1.71 and 0.22 meter per year, respectively. The long-term mean bluff recession rate is 0.93 meter per year as determined by measurements from 1879 to 1974. A regression analysis of the mean sea level (MSL) shoreline intercept with time, using raw data as well as empirical eigenfunctions of the beach face (excluding bluff) profiles, suggests a narrowing of the beach during the study. An empirical eigenfunction analysis showed that seasonal beach cycles were related to the seasonal northeast storms, most of which occur in late autumn, winter, and early spring. Three such events were analyzed using water level and wind data from Nantucket and local Littoral Environment Observation (LEO) wave estimates. Beach profile line measurements showed greater variability in longshore changes in MSL shoreline and above MSL volume with adjacent profile lines sometimes changing in opposite direction.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA163155
Entities
People
- David C. Aubrey
- Martin C. Miller