CONTENTS 



CONVERSION FACTORS, U.S. CUSTOMARY TO METRIC (SI) 



Page 



I INTRODUCTION 9 



1. Previous Studies 9 



2. Purposes of This Study 15 



3. Engineering and Scientific Usefulness 16 



II LOCALITY 17 



1. Geography 17 



2. Geomorphology 18 



3. Sediments 25 



4. Beach Usage and Impact 26 



III METHODS 29 



1. Beach Surveys 29 



2. Surveyed Bench Marks 31 



3. Wave Observers 31 



4. Data Processing 32 



5. Comparison of VIMS-CERC Surveys With Older Profile 



Data 33 



6. Statistical Beach Trend Analyses 33 



7 . Ground Photography 34 



8. Aerial Inspection 34 



9. Currituck Reconnaissance 35 



IV REVIEW OF LITTORAL PROCESSES 35 



1. Tidal Range 35 



2. Wave Climate 37 



3. Winds 42 



4. Storms and Storm Tides 42 



5. Nearshore Circulation and Longshore Transport. . . 47 



6. Eolian Processes 47 



7. Beach Nourishment 49 



V BEACH CHANGES 51 



1. Regional Variations in Beach Volume Changes During 



VIMS-CERC Study 51 



2. Differing Profile Response to Specific Storm 



Events 58 



3. Erosion-Accretion Trends Encompassing Historical 



Profile Data 61 



4. Periodicity and Seasonality in Long-Term 



Trends 63 



5. Currituck County Beach Changes 64 



6. Influence of Beach Usage on Beach Behavior .... 69 



VI RELATIONS BETWEEN PROCESSES AND BEACH CHANGES 69 



1. Storms 69 



