![]() NPS / Katy Perrault Coastal GeomorphologyAs the first line of defense against increasingly stronger storms, wind, flooding, and rising sea levels, our coastal shorelines take a beating while offering us a lot of protection. Because of both their role as buffers and as the locations of buildings and infrastructure, it's important to understand the past, present, and future of our coastal shorelines. Park scientists study coastal geomorphology - the morphological (form and structure) development and evolution of the coast - to provide information about shorelines. A rigorous system of protocols informed by scientific principles and relation to issues of importance to park management guides their study.The monitoring for coastal geomorphology is split into two parts, Ocean Shoreline Position (Part I) and Coastal Topography (Part II). Those two parts allow us to understand coastal shorelines on a 1-Dimensional and 2-Dimensional level, respectively. A third, Coastal Landform Elevation Models (Part III), is in development that would allow for understanding of coastal geomorphology on a 3-Dimensional level using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging – a remote sensing technology that uses lasers to measure distances). Cape Cod National Seashore is part of a network of parks with similar ecosystem qualities and regional location where coastal geomorphology is monitored to gain a broader understanding. Other parks in the Northeast Coastal Barrier Network, part of the larger Inventory and Monitoring Division of the National Park Service, include Assateague Island National Seashore, Fire Island National Seashore, Gateway National Recreation Area, George Washington Birthplace National Monument, and Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. You can learn more about region-wide coastal monitoring and find information from related parks on the Northeast Coastal Barrier Network's webpage. Click on the dropdowns below to see documents and data associated with this monitoring program at Cape Cod National Seashore. Ocean Shoreline Position - Part I![]() NPS Image / Scott Rasmussen The first part of Coastal Geomorphology monitoring, Ocean Shoreline Position, allows scientists to understand and track changes in coastal shorelines on a 1-Dimensional level. Imagine if the outline of Cape Cod were to be traced at measured intervals to understand where it may be growing or receding. That's basically what park and network scientists are doing! By tracking the location of the shoreline, scientists are able to determine erosional hotspots and areas of accretion (growth).How this is monitored:
Ocean shoreline position is important to understand because the rate and magnitude of shoreline change can have major effects for parks and their natural and cultural resources as well as infrastructure. Indications of sea-level rise and widespread erosion globally mean that it's important to monitor and understand any changes, which our scientists help us to do! Here you can find the documents that guide our monitoring of Ocean Shoreline Position, including the protocol and standard operating procedures (SOP's). Source: NPS DataStore Collection 9707. To search for additional information, visit the NPS DataStore. Here you can find the data package for Ocean Shoreline Position. Source: NPS DataStore Collection 9675. To search for additional information, visit the NPS DataStore.
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Last updated: April 25, 2025