USING DEMs DERIVED FROM LIDAR DATA TO INVESTIGATE GEOMORPHIC CHANGES OF BARRIER ISLANDS ALONG THE NORTH CAROLINA COASTLINE

摘要

This research presented a method and volumetric analysis results for monitoring of the beachfront along a portion of the North Carolina coastline. By using Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data derived from Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR), an approximately 50 km stretch of the southern North Carolina coastline, consisting of five barrier islands located between Masonboro Island at the southern extent and Topsail Island at the northern extent were studied. The hi-resolution data allowed for a comprehensive visual/quantitative investigation into the spatial patterns of morphologic change that occurred to the barrier islands' oceanfront beaches between 1997 and 2000. Volumetric change rates per length and per area of beach aided in the analysis of an island's morphologic change with that of the other islands during each yearly interval, for studying each islands particular response over three consecutive yearly intervals, and in examining, comparing, and contrasting delineations of coastline characterized as developed versus undeveloped.