Hurricane impact and recovery shoreline change analysis of the Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, USA: 1855 to 2005

Inundation of a barrier island (Chandeleur Islands, Louisiana, USA) during a hurricane: Observed water‐level gradients and modeled seaward sand transport

“…The Chandeleurs are generally thought to be in the late part of the second stage of a three-stage sequence of evolution [Penland et al, 1985] from (1) sand spits flanking the remnants of a reworked distributary lobe to (2) an island chain separated from the retreating mainland to (3) submerged shelf shoals. Fearnley et al [2009] have documented ongoing fragmentation of the barrier arc into series of small islands and submerged bars, with associated loss of supratidal area, and very little transgression of back-barrier deposits and marsh. Our study builds on a long history of observations of geomorphic evolution of the Chandeleurs that began with U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey maps in 1855 [McBride et al, 1992] and led to recent oblique aerial photography, satellite, and lidar surveys conducted along with geophysical surveys and field studies led by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) [Fearnley et al, 2009;Lavoie, 2009].…”

“…Fearnley et al [2009] have documented ongoing fragmentation of the barrier arc into series of small islands and submerged bars, with associated loss of supratidal area, and very little transgression of back-barrier deposits and marsh. Our study builds on a long history of observations of geomorphic evolution of the Chandeleurs that began with U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey maps in 1855 [McBride et al, 1992] and led to recent oblique aerial photography, satellite, and lidar surveys conducted along with geophysical surveys and field studies led by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) [Fearnley et al, 2009;Lavoie, 2009]. An artificial berm was constructed on the Chandeleur Islands beginning in June 2010 as part of the response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill [Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 2010].…”

Analysis of shoreline and geomorphic change for Breton Island, Louisiana, from 1869 to 2014

“…Breton Island provides critical habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, including waterfowl, sea turtles, and fish. Previous studies have determined that Breton Island is susceptible to erosion and submergence (Williams and others, 1992;Penland and others, 1997;Fearnley andothers, 2009, Martinez andothers, 2009). The recovery and maintenance of Breton Island is important ecologically for local fauna and mainland marsh protection from waves and storm surge; therefore, continued monitoring of island development in response to anthropogenic effects and natural processes is critical to predicting the effects of future storm events and sea-level changes, planning habitat restoration, protecting endangered species, and developing sediment management plans.…”

Rangia cuneata clam decline in Lake Pontchartrain from 2001 to 2014 due to an El Niño Southern Oscillation shift coupled with a period of high hurricane intensity and frequency

“…From 1961-2000, the number and intensity of U.S. hurricanes decreased. After 2000, there was a period of increased hurricane frequency (Fearnley et al 2009). Relative sea level rise in Louisiana is occurring 10 times faster than the global average and more than 5 times faster than the Gulf of Mexico average (Penland and Ramsey 1990).…”