Harry Williams has received a National Science Foundation RAPID grant to study sedimentation from Hurricane Irene's storm surge along the east coast of the U.S. Specific questions to be addressed by the study are: 1. What is the magnitude and regional distribution of Hurricane Irene storm surge sedimentation? 2. How does the orientation of the hurricane track in relation to the coastline affect storm surge sedimentation? 3. What is the contribution of Hurricane Irene to long-term sedimentation in coastal marshes? 4. Are the storm surge deposits preserved in marshes? The contribution of hurricanes to long-term sedimentation in coastal marshes is a major focus of Williams' research. Dr. Williams has conducted similar studies on Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Ike. These earlier studies indicate that hurricanes may play a much more significant role in the formation of coastal plains than has been previously recognized. The proposed study provides a good opportunity to compare sedimentation resulting from hurricanes Rita and Ike (which essentially struck the Louisiana and Texas coasts at right-angles) to sedimentation resulting from Hurricane Irene which essentially paralleled the coast. It is anticipated that Hurricane Irene will result in sedimentation along a greater length of coastline because the cyclonic circulation drove a storm surge onshore ahead of the hurricane as it traveled from south to north. Several research trips to the east coast are anticipated, ranging from South Carolina to Long Island, New York.

Photo: Hurricane Ike (2008) storm surge deposits, Crystal Beach, Texas. Beach sand has been transported hundreds of meters inland by the hurricane.