Geological Society of America

T39 Sigma Gamma Epsilon Undergraduate Research (Posters)

Sunday, 9 October 2011
9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Hall C

DETAILED SURFICIAL MAPPING OF SMALL ISLANDS FOR COASTAL MANAGEMENT, PUERTO RICO

Paper number: T39-54
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Authors

Elizabeth M. Perison Presenting Author
University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA
Ryann M. Runyan
University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA
Kyle W. Siemer
University of Toledo, Toledo, OH
Rochelle F. Petruccelli
University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA
Chester W. Jackson
Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA
David M. Bush
University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA
Pablo A. Llerandi-Román
Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI
William J. Neal
Grand Valley State University, Allendale, MI

Abstract

The inhabitants of Puerto Rico and its small associated islands are subject to the imminent effects of rising sea level. Effective coastal management cannot be done without a thorough understanding of shoreline dynamics, and many communities are in need of reliable coastal planning. It is thus the aim of this project to conduct surveys on selected small islands of Puerto Rico and graphically represent shoreline change over the past 50 and 100 years and make predictions of shoreline and landcover change 50-100 years into the future. Small islands are the focus instead of the main island because it is felt that small islands will feel effects of sea-level rise sooner. Islands were chosen because they contain natural, recreational, or cultural resources. These results will be presented to coastal planners in addition to potential land loss scenarios and recommendations for coastal management will be made.

In conjunction with extensive beach profiling, methods employed on this study include extrapolation of historical shoreline positions and modification of the Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI). Applied in this study for the first time to Caribbean islands, the CVI will be modified using high resolution real-time kinematic (RTK) GPS data to constrain island geomorphology on a millimeter scale. Digital terrain models generated from the RTK data will serve as resolute baselines for beach profiles taken in the area. Oceanic transgression scenarios and associated land loss will also be generated using RTK imagery. The combination of historical shoreline positions, modern beach profiles, land loss scenarios , and the modified Coastal Vulnerability Index will contribute to reliable coastal management planning in Puerto Rican communities for years to come.