Long-term trends and short-term variability in shoreline change rates: Southeastern Virginia

The shoreline is a dynamic environment that varies along and across shore through time. An understanding of the physical scales of change associated with differing time intervals is essential in the development of plans for managing the shore. Determination of the long-term trend in shoreline position by the End Point or other similar method can mask dramatic seasonal Or storm-driven variations. Analysis of shoreline position data and beach profiles for the Atlantic coast of the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia demonstrates the types, scales, and rates of shoreline variation. Areas of long-term erosion or accretion can be seen clearly in a relatively short-term profile data set. However, trends are more variable in areas influenced by seasonal and storm-driven changes or impacted by man's activities.