Remote sensing techniques used in determining changes in coastlines. Preprint.

Date

1971

Authors

Herbich, J.B.
Hales, Z.L.

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Offshore Technology Conference.

Abstract

The capability of remote sensing techniques to detect the changes that occur in coastlines as result of long-term climatological phenomena or short-term events of meteorological significance such as hurricanes or other wave attacks of intense nature is examined. The U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey is charged with the responsibility of providing nautical charts and other navigational aids pertaining to the coastal zone, but the tremendous amount of coastal area to be charted and the great expense involved prohibits resurveys which would reveal all pertinent changes in the coastline and the coastal zone. The use of remote sensing techniques activated from either the orbiting satellite or low-level aircraft offers possibilities for frequent, synoptic data collection which will reveal all significant changes which occur in the coastal area. This eliminates the need of waiting for regularly scheduled resurveys and also reveals all coastal alterations at their occurrence. Low-level aerial photography of the San Luis Pass area of the Texas Gulf Coast was used to supplement the coastal configurations as revealed by the nautical charts. The periodic nautical charts obviously do not indicate all the changes that are shown by the photographs, and the addition of frequent coverage greatly enhances one's understanding of the phenomena. Conventional aerial photography, either color or black and white, is shown to be an adequate sensor for detecting coastline changes. It is felt that the declassification of pertinent satellite coverage would eliminate dual surveys and provide for a more coordinated system for the use of remote sensing data.

Description

p. 319-334.

Keywords

aerial photography, coastal zone, coastal erosion, coastal processes, remote sensing, hurricanes, wave effects, navigational charts

Citation