The eastern seaboard of the USA

1. The eastern seaboard of the USA Coastal management

2. The Atlantic coastal plain has both low elevation and low relief, but it is also a relatively flat landform extending 3,500km from the New York Bight southward to Florida.

3. The area has an average elevation in less than 900 meters above sea level and extends some 50 to 100 kmsinland from the ocean.The coastal plain is generally wet, including many riversmarsh, and swampland. It is composed primarily of sedimentary rock and is primarily used for agriculture.

4. Introduction • Locate this area in an Atlas • Describe the physical characteristics of this stretch of coastline.

5. Barrier beaches • Barrier beaches are narrow, low-lying strips of beach and dunes that are roughly parallel to the coastline, and are separated from the mainland by a body of water or wetland. Hundreds of barrier beaches line the Massachusetts coastline. These landforms were created and are constantly changed by coastal processes, such as erosion, overwash during storms, dune movement, and inlet formation and migration These dynamic systems are a tremendous resource providing recreation opportunities for beachgoers, fishermen, and off-road vehicle users; storm and flood protection for mainland areas; and habitat for plants and wildlife, including numerous rare and endangered species. In addition, many of these barrier beaches have been developed for recreational, residential, and commercial purposes. Managing barrier beaches to meet these competing uses is a complex task facing many local communities, organizations, and homeowners. • Mass. Office of Coastal Zone Management

6. Check the 3 theories of formation of barrier beaches. • B&P page 94 • Can you draw diagrams to explain each one?

7. Read through the handout and highlight relevant points. • Also annotate the sheet to show the different areas mentioned. Use an Atlas to check where they are.

8. Answer the questions on page 320