GULF - Coastal Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise: U.S. Gulf Coast

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Frequently anticipated questions:

What does this data set describe?

Title: GULF - Coastal Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise: U.S. Gulf Coast
Abstract:
The goal of this project is to quantify, at the National scale, the relative susceptibility of the Nation's coast to sea-level rise through the use of a coastal vulnerability index (CVI). This initial classification is based upon the variables geomorphology, regional coastal slope, tide range, wave height, relative sea-level rise and shoreline erosion and accretion rates. The combination of these variables and the association of these variables to each other furnish a broad overview of regions where physical changes are likely to occur due to sea-level rise.
  1. How might this data set be cited?
    U.S. Geological Survey, 20000403, GULF - Coastal Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise: U.S. Gulf Coast: U.S. Geological Survey, Coastal and Marine Geology Program, Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center, Woods Hole, MA.

    Online Links:

    This is part of the following larger work.

    Hammar-Klose, Erika S., and Thieler, E. Robert, 2001, Coastal Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise: A Preliminary Database for the U.S. Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts: Digital Data Series DDS-68, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

  2. What geographic area does the data set cover?
    West_Bounding_Coordinate: -97.565567
    East_Bounding_Coordinate: -80.399345
    North_Bounding_Coordinate: 30.735912
    South_Bounding_Coordinate: 25.023716
  3. What does it look like?
  4. Does the data set describe conditions during a particular time period?
    Calendar_Date: 2001
    Currentness_Reference:
    publication date
  5. What is the general form of this data set?
    Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
  6. How does the data set represent geographic features?
    1. How are geographic features stored in the data set?
      This is a Vector data set. It contains the following vector data types (SDTS terminology):
      • String (1607)
    2. What coordinate system is used to represent geographic features?
      Horizontal positions are specified in geographic coordinates, that is, latitude and longitude. Latitudes are given to the nearest 0.000001. Longitudes are given to the nearest 0.000001. Latitude and longitude values are specified in Decimal degrees. The horizontal datum used is North American Datum of 1983.
      The ellipsoid used is Geodetic Reference System 80.
      The semi-major axis of the ellipsoid used is 6378137.000000.
      The flattening of the ellipsoid used is 1/298.257222.
  7. How does the data set describe geographic features?
    gulf
    Shapefile Attribute Table (Source: None)
    SLRISK
    Relative Risk Ranking (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.)
    Range of values
    Minimum:2
    Maximum:5
    GEOMORPHOL
    Geomorphology Risk Ranking (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3
    Maximum:5
    ID_1
    Information unavailable from original metadata. (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.) Information unavailable from original metadata.
    WAVES
    Information unavailable from original metadata. (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.) Character Field
    LENGTH_1
    Information unavailable from original metadata. (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.) Information unavailable from original metadata.
    SLOPERISK
    Relative Risk Ranking (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:5
    TIDE_M_
    Mean Tide Range (Source: NOS Tide Stations)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.14
    Maximum:1.04
    SLOPE___
    Regional Coastal Slope (%) (Source: ETOPO5 elevation data)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.0000
    Maximum:0.10870
    ERR_M_YR_
    Erosion and Accretion rates ( m/yr) (Source: CEIS, Westphal et al 1991 - Historical Shoreline Change in the Northern Gulf of Mexico, Alabama Shoreline Change Study, 1997)
    Range of values
    Minimum:-9.24
    Maximum:3
    SL_MM_YR_
    Relative Sea-Level Rise (mm/yr) (Source: NOS tide stations)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1.8
    Maximum:10.9
    GEOM
    Geomorphology Risk Ranking (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3
    Maximum:5
    WAVES_M_
    Mean Wave Height (Source: WIS hindcast nearshore mean wave height data 1976-1995)
    Range of values
    Minimum:0.3
    Maximum:1.1
    LENGTH
    Length of line (Source: Software generated) Software computed
    ID
    Information unavailable from original metadata. (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:1607
    WAVERISK
    Relative Risk Ranking (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:5
    TIDERISK
    Relative Risk Ranking (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.)
    Range of values
    Minimum:3
    Maximum:5
    SLOPE
    Information unavailable from original metadata. (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.) Character Field
    EROSION
    Information unavailable from original metadata. (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.) Character Field
    SEALEVEL
    Information unavailable from original metadata. (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.) Character Field
    FID
    Internal feature number. (Source: ESRI) Sequential unique whole numbers that are automatically generated.
    Shape
    Feature geometry. (Source: ESRI) Coordinates defining the features.
    NEWID
    Information unavailable from original metadata. (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.) Information unavailable from original metadata.
    ERRRISK
    Relative Risk Ranking (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:5
    CVIVALUE
    Actual CVI value (Source: Calculated)
    Range of values
    Minimum:5
    Maximum:40
    CVIRISK
    Relative Risk Ranking (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.)
    Range of values
    Minimum:1
    Maximum:4
    TIDE
    Information unavailable from original metadata. (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.) Character Field
    CVI
    Information unavailable from original metadata. (Source: Information unavailable from original metadata.) Character Field
    Entity_and_Attribute_Overview:
    Many of the attributes were missing complete definitions. It is suggested that to learn more about the attributes, the user should read thea accompanying publication found at http://pubs.usgs.gov/dds/dds68/ . The attributes appear in a different order in this metadata file than they do in the data files.
    Entity_and_Attribute_Detail_Citation: U.S. Geological Survey

Who produced the data set?

  1. Who are the originators of the data set? (may include formal authors, digital compilers, and editors)
    • U.S. Geological Survey
  2. Who also contributed to the data set?
  3. To whom should users address questions about the data?
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: E. Robert Thieler
    Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    U.S.A

    508-457-2350 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    rthieler@usgs.gov
    Hours_of_Service: M-F 9-5 EST

Why was the data set created?

The purpose of this data layer is to allow the user to view both the coastal vulnerability index (CVI) and the data from which the CVI is calculated (tides, wave height, relative sea-level rise, coastal slope, geomorphology, and shoreline erosion and accretion rate). The CVI provides insight into the relative potential of coastal change due to future sea-level rise. The maps and data presented here can be viewed in at least two ways: 1) as a base for developing a more complete inventory of variables influencing the coastal vulnerability to future sea-level rise to which other elements can be added as they become available; and 2) as an example of the potential for assessing coastal vulnerability to future sea-level rise using objective criteria.

How was the data set created?

  1. From what previous works were the data drawn?
    ORNL (source 1 of 3)
    Gornitz, V.M, and White, T.W., 1992, A coastal hazards database for the U.S. Gulf coast: NDP-043B ORNL/CDIAC -60, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: online
    Source_Contribution:
    The data set was combined and updated with other source data, refining the existing databases of geologic and environmental variables
    sea level data (source 2 of 3)
    National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and National Ocean Service (NOS), 2001, Sea Levels Online: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Silver Springs, MD.

    Online Links:

    Type_of_Source_Media: online
    Source_Contribution:
    The data set was combined and updated with other source data, refining the existing databases of geologic and environmental variables
    WIS Wave Data (source 3 of 3)
    Hubertz, J.M., Thompson, E.F., and Wang, H.V., 1996, Wave Information Studies of U.S. coastlines: Annotated bibliography on coastal and ocean data assimilation: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 46 p.
    Type_of_Source_Media: online
    Source_Contribution:
    Data from publication tables were compiled. Wave height is used here as an indicator of wave energy, which drives the coastal sediment budget.
  2. How were the data generated, processed, and modified?
    Date: 1999 (process 1 of 5)
    The Coastal Hazards Database for the U.S. Gulf Coast (Gornitz, V. and White, T. W. 1992. ORNL/CDIAC-60, NDP-043B. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee), NOS tide and sea-level rise data, WIS wave data, state and U.S. Geological Survey erosion/accretion rate data, NGDC and ETOPO5 elevation data and the Living with the Shore series (Duke University Press, Durham, NC) were used to create this digital dataset. An ArcView .shp file was updated with each attribute. Person who carried out this activity:
    E. Robert Thieler
    Geologist
    U.S. Geological Survey
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA
    USA

    (508) 548-8700 x2350 (voice)
    (508) 457-2310 (FAX)
    rthieler@usgs.gov
    Date: 04-Nov-2015 (process 2 of 5)
    Edits to the metadata were made to fix any errors that MP v 2.9.30 flagged. This is necessary to enable the metadata to be successfully harvested for various data catalogs. In some cases, this meant adding text "Information unavailable" or "Information unavailable from original metadata" for those required fields that were left blank. Other minor edits were probably performed (title, publisher, publication place, etc.). The metadata date (but not the metadata creator) was edited to reflect the date of these changes. In this particular metadata file, most of the edits were related to the entity and attribute information. Most attributes had two entries, one all uppercase and one with lowercase characters. The lowercase attributes were from the original metadata, but did not match the character case of the attribute table, so the information was transferred to the uppercase attributes and the lowercase attributes were deleted. The metadata available from a harvester may supersede metadata bundled within a download file. Compare the metadata dates to determine which metadata file is most recent. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross
    Marine Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Rd.
    Woods Hole, MA

    508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    vatnipp@usgs.gov
    Date: 20-Jul-2018 (process 3 of 5)
    USGS Thesaurus keywords added to the keyword section. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross
    Marine Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA

    508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    vatnipp@usgs.gov
    Date: 15-Nov-2019 (process 4 of 5)
    Crossref DOI link was added as the first link in the metadata. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross
    Marine Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA

    508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    vatnipp@usgs.gov
    Date: 08-Sep-2020 (process 5 of 5)
    Added keywords section with USGS persistent identifier as theme keyword. Person who carried out this activity:
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: VeeAnn A. Cross
    Marine Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, MA

    508-548-8700 x2251 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    vatnipp@usgs.gov
  3. What similar or related data should the user be aware of?
    Thieler, E. Robert, and Hammar-Klose, Erika S., 2000, National Assessment of Coastal Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise, U.S. Gulf of Mexico Coast: Open-File Report 00-179, U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA.

    Online Links:

    Other_Citation_Details: 1 sheet

How reliable are the data; what problems remain in the data set?

  1. How well have the observations been checked?
    The attributes in this dataset are based on A Coastal Hazards Database for the U.S. Gulf Coast (Gornitz, V. and White, T. W. 1992. ORNL/CDIAC-60, NDP-043B. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee) updated with data from more recent sources. The data has gone through a series of QA/QC procedures, and is therefore believed to accurately reflect the data gathered in the Coastal Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise Study.
  2. How accurate are the geographic locations?
    none
  3. How accurate are the heights or depths?
    none
  4. Where are the gaps in the data? What is missing?
    This database is complete.
  5. How consistent are the relationships among the observations, including topology?
    This database is believed to be logically consistent.

How can someone get a copy of the data set?

Are there legal restrictions on access or use of the data?
Access_Constraints None
Use_Constraints Public domain data from the U.S. government are freely redistributable with proper metadata and source attribution. Please recognize the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as the source of this information.
  1. Who distributes the data set? (Distributor 1 of 1)
    U.S. Geological Survey
    Attn: E. Robert Thieler
    Geologist
    384 Woods Hole Road
    Woods Hole, Massachusetts
    U.S.A.

    508-548-8700 x2350 (voice)
    508-457-2310 (FAX)
    rthieler@usgs.gov
    Hours_of_Service: 9-5 M-F EST
  2. What's the catalog number I need to order this data set? Downloadable Data
  3. What legal disclaimers am I supposed to read?
    Although this data set has been used by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the USGS as to the accuracy of the data and/or related materials. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the USGS in the use of these data or related materials.
  4. How can I download or order the data?
    • Availability in digital form:
      Data format: ARCE (version Esri Arc Export) ESRI Arc Export Size: 1.568
      Network links: http://pubs.usgs.gov/dds/dds68/data/gulf/gulf.e00
      Media you can order: CD-ROM (Density 650 Mbytes) (format ISO 9660)
      Note: ISO 9660 format allows the CD-ROM to be read by most computer operating systems.
      Data format: The SHP file contains the geospatial data. The SHX file contains the index of the geospatial data. The DBF file contains the attribute data in dBASE format. The PRJ file contains the coordinate system information (optional). The AVL file contains the legend information (optional). The SBN and SBX files contain the spatial index of the geospatial data (optional). The XML file contains the metadata describing the data set <data set name>.shp.xml. An ASCII version of the metadata file (optional). A browse graphic showing the data layer coverage and extent (optional). in format SHP (version ArcView 3.2) ESRI Shapefile Format
      Network links: http://pubs.usgs.gov/dds/dds68/data/cvi.zip
      http://pubs.usgs.gov/dds/dds68/data/gulf/
      Media you can order: CD-ROM (Density 650 Mbytes) (format ISO 9660)
      Note: ISO 9660 format allows the CD-ROM to be read by most computer operating systems.
    • Cost to order the data: None

  5. What hardware or software do I need in order to use the data set?
    The data are available in Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) '.e00' export format. The user must have software capable of importing and processing the data file. The data are available in Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI) shapefile format. The user must have ArcGIS or ArcView 3.0 or greater software to read and process the data file. In lieu of ArcView or ArcGIS, the user may utilize another GIS application package capable of importing data. A free data viewer, arcexplorer, capable of displaying the data is available from ESRI at www.esri.com.

Who wrote the metadata?

Dates:
Last modified: 18-Mar-2024
Metadata author:
U.S. Geological Survey
Attn: E. Robert Thieler
Geologist
384 Woods Hole Road
Woods Hole, Massachusetts
U.S.A.

508-548-8700 x2350 (voice)
508-457-2310 (FAX)
whsc_data_contact@usgs.gov
Hours_of_Service: 9-5 M-F EST
Contact_Instructions:
The metadata contact email address is a generic address in the event the person is no longer with USGS. (updated on 20240318)
Metadata standard:
FGDC Content Standards for Digital Geospatial Metadata (FGDC-STD-001-1998)
This page is <https://cmgds.marine.usgs.gov/catalog/whcmsc/data_series/DDS-68/gulf.shp.faq.html>
Generated by mp version 2.9.51 on Mon Mar 25 16:05:15 2024