Analysis of coastal morphodynamic zones based on detailed mapping in Palm Beach County, Florida

Dynamic geomorphic environments such as the inner continental shelf challenge understanding and compromise predictive abilities because most efforts fail to establish seafloor topologies. A new approach, which takes stock of existing conditions and monitors changes in coastal morphologic features, is needed. Procedures employed in this study feature a morphodynamic context that considers interdependence between hydrodynamic processes, seafloor morphologies, and sequences of change. This study delineates morphodynamic zones by interpreting coastal morphologic features mapped from large-scale aerial photographs. Resulting maps display morphologic features and morphodynamic zones for the inner continental shelf of central Palm Beach County, Florida. The technique improves on existing methods by providing quantitative data on submarine morphology that can be monitored over time to analyze changes in form and association. Increased understanding of inner continental shelf morphologic features, and their variation through time, provides insight into the sequences of change, which may include recognition of erosion hot spots.