Shoreline Studies Program
The Shoreline Studies Program (SSP) within the Department of Physical Sciences at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science conducts basic and applied research primarily within the shore zone of the Chesapeake Bay estuarine system and Virginia's ocean coast. Research efforts involve wave-climate analysis, shoreline morphology, shore-zone stratigraphy and recommending shoreline management strategies.
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Shoreline ManagementA detailed understanding of shoreline processes is critical to developing effective shoreline management plans. |
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Shoreline EvolutionShoreline evolution is the change in the shore zone through time. The processes involved include winds, waves, tides, and currents, which shape and modify coastlines by eroding, transporting, and depositing sediment. |
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Beaches and DunesDunes form by the accumulation of sand which is the foundation that comprises beaches worldwide, including Chesapeake Bay. The life span of a beach and dune may vary from a few years to decades depending on the geomorphic setting and the local supply of sand. |
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Regional Sediment ManagementRSM is a planning approach addressing coastal sediment processes and issues on a broader geographic scale. |
"Just a few years ago beaches were desolate wastes of sand dunes and underbrush, little enjoyed by the people of the hinterland of our States bordering the coast. Today a beach is recognized as the playground and health restoring assest of the State, and each year finds this assest attracting more and more people, and contributing annually to the welfare and happiness of our people, with the logical result of enhanced values in land once considered of little value. It, therefore, behooves us to give careful thought to the permanence of an assest of such potential importance."
Virginia Senate Document No.14 from 1932