Completing a three part series, this numeric data
package describes the content of a
digital database that may be used to
identify coastlines along the U.S.
West Coast that are at risk to
sea-level rise (NDP-043A covers
the U.S. East Coast and NDP-043B
covers the U.S. Gulf Coast).
This database integrates point, line, and polygon data for the U.S. West Coast into 0.25° latitude by 0.25° longitude grid cells and into 1:2,000,000 digitized line segments that can be used by raster or vector geographic information systems (GIS) as well as by non-GIS databases. Each coastal grid cell and line segment contains data variables from the following seven data sets: elevation, geology, geomorphology, sea-level trends, shoreline displacement (erosion accretion), tidal ranges, and wave heights. One variable from each data set was classified according to its susceptibility to sea-level rise and/or erosion to form seven relative risk variables. These risk variables range in value from one to five and may be used to calculate a Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI). Algorithms used to calculate several CVIs are listed within this text. The data for these 29 variables (i.e., the 22 original variables and seven risk variables) are available as:
- Gridded polygon data for the 22 original data variables. Data include elevation, geology, geomorphology, sea-level trends, shoreline displacement (erosion/accretion), tidal ranges, and wave heights.
- Gridded polygon data for the seven classified risk variables. The risk variables are classified versions of mean coastal elevation, geology, geomorphology, local subsidence trend, mean shoreline displacement, maximum tidal range, and maximum significant wave height.
- 1:2,000,000 line segment data containing the 29 data variables (i.e., the 22 original data variables and the seven classified risk variables).
- Supplemental point data for the stations used in calculating the sea-level trend and tidal-range data sets.
- Supplemental line segment data containing a 1:2,000,000 digitized coastline of the U.S. West Coast.
Example of how a Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI5) may be used to identify high-risk coastlines along the U.S. West Coast.
