Project Title: Storm Surge, Ocean Wave, and Weather Remodeling of Coastal Sandy Beach in the Eastern

Climate change is expected to alter weather patterns leading to changes in the paths and frequency of storms in the Bering Sea. Such changes are reflected in the observations by people in Native villages along the coast that these storms are now more frequent, of greater magnitude, and extend the us...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Bering Sea, Ms. Deborah, K Horton
Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
Format: Text
Language:English
Subjects:
Online Access:http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.524.3925
http://doc.nprb.org/web/09_prjs/921_app1_web.pdf
Description
Summary:Climate change is expected to alter weather patterns leading to changes in the paths and frequency of storms in the Bering Sea. Such changes are reflected in the observations by people in Native villages along the coast that these storms are now more frequent, of greater magnitude, and extend the usual storm season. This proposal is a direct result of the concern by Hooper Bay and Paimiut about erosion and flooding and they identify this as a primary concern for the welfare of their community and a need to document climate change issues. A collaboration among the Native villages of Paimiut and Hooper Bay, a partnership with the Alaska Native Youth Institute, and Purdue University, leads us to jointly identify, design, implement, and interpret the results of a study to determine the effects of ocean waves and weather driven storm surge events on erosion and accretion processes on the sandy beaches and Nuok Spit that protects Hooper Bay. This study on a limited geographic range will provide the first data on the processes that mold the coastline of the eastern Bering Sea. The rigorous scientific study will involve visits by scientists and include training of Native personnel to assist with 1) the collection of data about changing beach profiles using standard surveying methodologies, 2) studies of sand movement by tidal, ocean wave-energy driven processes, and storm surge events, and, 3) development of youth and community-wide participation in the data collection, interpretation, and discussion of the significance of these processes. Community Involvement: This proposal is a direct result of the concern by HooperBay and Paimiut about erosion