WETMAAP Technique 5
Cape Hatteras: Element 2

Technique 5: Determining Rates of Change
Element 2: New Rate of Shoreline Erosion

Materials:

1:24,000 Cape Hatteras-Buxton Topographic Map with four (4) attached overlays
New lighthouse location from Skill 1, Element 7
ruler
protractor
calculator

Exercise:

1. Using a line running through the new lighthouse location and perpendicular to the shoreline, measure the distance from the "1852 Shoreline" to the "1990 Shoreline".

What is the distance in feet between the "1852 Shoreline"

and the "1990 Shoreline"?

What is the difference in years between the two shorelines?

What is the "per year" rate of shoreline change?

2. Along the same line measured, how many feet will the new

lighthouse site be from the 1990 shoreline?

3. Assume the rate of shoreline retreat as measured above remains constant.