The study seeks to investigate the past evolution of Fire Island using computer models informed by geology from field sites, including the communities of Point O'Woods and Bellport Beach. The primary objective is to quantify rates of coastal change that occurred prior to the 20th century. To inform model simulations of Fire Island, data to be acquired in this study include ground-penetrating radar (GPR) transects to determine the structure of the subsurface, sediment cores to observe and analyze stratigraphy/sedimentology, and age control of sediments using luminescence dating techniques.
Location
Fire Island, Suffolk County (Long Island), New York
Summary
*2021--On-site field work was completed by the New York Water Science Center team led by Michael Noll. In total, 4 sediment vibracores were collected; 3 from the area of Point O'Woods and 1 from Ho-Hum Beach. Ground-penetrating radar lines were similarly acquired from Ho-Hum Beach, as well as from Point O' Woods east to Sailors Haven (near Cherry Grove). Cores and GPR data were successfully returned to SPCMSC and are undergoing processing.
Info derived
Subsurface structural features (GPR), sedimentology (cores), age control (cores), and visual geomorphology
Comments
*2021--Due to the ongoing pandemic, field work originally intended to be undertaken by SPCMSC personnel will be performed by USGS New York Water Science Center (NYWSC) staff using a combination of SPCMSC and NYWSC "other" equipment. St. Pete staff will act in a remote support and logistics management capacity.
(2021 original work dates: 3-22 to 4-16)
*2022--Because of pandemic constraints, some sampling initially intended for 2021 was not carried out. In April 2022, SPCMSC staff will travel to New York to complete remaining sampling using an AMS sand auger.
