Systematic Variations in Barrier-island TopographyIn order to abstract and characterize modes of topographic variation of barrier-island landforms, Atlantic and Gulf coast barrier islands were analyzed using an eigenvector analysis of profiles taken across the islands. Three types of barrier-island complexes were found and are discussed. Trends in topographic form are described and an organization of trends within definable coastal arcs is noted. The study illustrates the utility of numerical methods as an approach to the classification of complex geomorphic systems. |
Common terms and phrases
along-the-coast Atlantic and Gulf Attn Barrier-Island Topographic Types barrier-island topography between-type Center characteristic forms Coastal reaches Code covariance matrix cross-sectional area Cumulative Frequency Decreased definable coastal arcs Dept differences between barrier-island dune E1 and E2 E1 weightings eigen eigenvector analysis eigenvector weightings eigenvectors explain elevation variance Emory and Uchupi Environmental feet FIGURE Florida Transects Fort Belvoir Gulf coasts island topography island width Joint Distribution lagoon Level of Significance marsh width maximum elevation mean profile Morphological Attributes Naval PostGraduate School observation matrix Occurrence of Transects Office of Naval organization of trends orthogonal positive weightings profile form Resio Robert Dolan sampling density Standard Deviation stratification three types topographic variables Transect Types trends in E1 Trends in topographic Type II reaches types of barrier-island U.S. Army U.S. Coast Guard Unclassified Security Classification United States Atlantic University of Virginia Variance Explained variation vector Washington weightings on E1