U.S. Geological Survey

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is investing $45 million in 28 science and research projects that advance scientific capabilities to improve our Nation’s resilience to coastal change impacts related to storms, climate change and sea-level rise. As outlined in the USGS Hurricane Sandy Science Plan, a comprehensive approach to research on the impacted areas, USGS is improving forecasts and understanding of storm impacts on coastal communities and ecosystems, and designing tools to assist future management and enhance natural resource health.

USGS Highlighted Projects of 2016

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) models of storm-induced coastal change, combined with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) storm surge and wave forecasts, will be available prior to major hurricane landfall to provide more information about the location and type of extreme coastal erosion that can be expected.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is building on existing knowledge of the coastal barrier island system along the south shore of Long Island, N.Y., which includes Fire Island National Seashore, to fill critical data gaps, monitor and map the morphologic change in response to and after Hurricane Sandy and develop predictive models of response and resilience.

The U.S. Geological Survey will soon publish an assessment of environmental contaminants that have persisted in sediments, groundwater, fish and mussels several months after Hurricane Sandy and provide ways to improve assessments of environmental contaminants associated with future storms.