The goal of this project is to provide a preliminary overview, at a 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.
Summary
The goal of this project is to provide a preliminary overview, at a 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.
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) for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico Coast. The CVI provides insight into the relative potential for 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.