32 Using Ground-Penetrating Radar to Investigate Near-Surface Geology and Sedimentary Records of Environmental Change
Tuesday, 24 March 2015
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Jefferson Room
USING GROUND-PENETRATING RADAR TO COMPARE HURRICANE IRENE TO PAST EVENTS
Paper number: 32-4
Program: Theme Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 9:20 AM
Authors
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William P. ClementUniversity of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
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Jonathan D. WoodruffUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA
Abstract
In 2011, Hurricane Irene ravaged the Caribbean and the east coast of the United States, resulting in significant damages and changes to the areas affected. In lieu of an increase in the amount of high-strength storms over the past couple of decades, it is important to compare a powerful storm like Hurricane Irene to other events that occurred in the area. Furthermore, studies such as these are vital in determining the risk that coastal areas face from these powerful hazards. We accomplished this by setting up a GPR array over Keeney Cove, an area off of the Connecticut River, and creating a transect of the cove to model sediment displacement. This parameter was then used as the primary comparing factor between Hurricane Irene and past storm events.