present. Some observations of present characteristics of the study area, how- 

 ever, can be made to allow estimates of future shoreline position. 



192. The arcuate strand, which has slowest erosion/accretion rates, 

 will probably remain the least variable geomorphic zone in the near future. 

 Its sheltered orientation to storm waves, the presence of pre-Holocene semi- 

 consolidated sediments near the surface, and general lack of inlets will all 

 combine to keep this coastline relatively stable. Sea level rise, if acceler- 

 ated in the future, could have a dramatic effect since elevation of this 

 shoreline is low. 



193. The cuspate delta shoreline can be expected to continue as an 

 erosional area into the future. Erosion results from loss of sediment from 

 damming and diversion plus its nearly north- south orientation, which makes it 

 susceptible to storm waves. An additional factor is the considerable amounts 

 of fine sediments that compose the marshes behind cuspate delta barrier 

 beaches. As beaches transgress over marshes, the finer sediments will be eas- 

 ily removed, thus accelerating rates of erosion. 



194. Bull Bay and other large bays will continue to show only mild 

 erosion/accretion. Their natural protection from storm and wave attack means 

 the most influential factors are sediment supply and sea level changes. 

 Changes in these two factors are generally slow, so the immediate future of 

 Bull Bay and other large bays is not likely to be different from its recent 

 history. 



195. Shoreline movement in the barrier island geomorphic zone is vari- 

 able spatially and temporally. Frequent inlets, human interference, open ori- 

 entation to wave attack, and variable nearshore bathymetry all contribute to 

 shoreline position variability in this reach. Bathymetry and orientation are 

 not likely to change significantly in the near future. Disequilibrium created 

 by human intervention will slowly readjust to a new equilibrium if no further 

 harmful intervention occurs. Therefore, areas of high erosion south of 

 Charleston and accretion to the north will gradually abate. Areas immediately 

 adjacent to most South Carolina inlets, however, may be subject to rapid 

 changes at any time. Radical changes at inlets and adjacent shorelines can 

 occur over very short periods, making change prediction difficult. The 

 remaining barrier island geomorphic zone will continue into the near future as 

 it is presently, stable to slightly eroding near midsections of barriers with 

 increasing variability toward inlets. 



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