An Investigation of Barrier Island Topographic Characteristics Using LIDAR and GPS Mapping Techniques
Presentation
Overview
Overview
Description
Barrier islands are dominated by several dynamic processes that determine their size, shape and structure. A comparison between field mapping techniques using high spatial resolution GPS and remotely detected LIDAR elevation data was conducted to identify topographic characteristics of an undeveloped barrier island in southeastern North Carolina. Research was conducted to verify if a high resolution GPS survey and LIDAR data can be used to determine the relationship between topography and the location and size of overwash fans. LIDAR is more spatially comprehensive, though it can be very expensive, and a GPS survey is very precise and spatially accurate, but is very time consuming. It was found that the LIDAR and GPS elevation data are both viable techniques and have comparable results. Importantly, there was an inverse relationship between the height of the dunes and length of overwash fans. Therefore, during storm events, where there are lower dunes there is more sand transferred from the foredune to the back barrier resulting in larger overwash fans.
