Coastal Change Hazards: Hurricanes and Extreme Storms

Hurricane Ivan

Pre- and Post-Storm 3D Topography

Diagram showing the laser scan pattern of NASA's Experimental Airborne Advanced Research Lidar (EAARL). Lidar stands for light detecting and ranging.

In a cooperative research program, USGS, NASA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have used airborne laser mapping systems to survey coastal areas before and after the impact of Hurricane Ivan. As the aircraft flies along the coast, a laser altimeter scans a several-hundred-meter-wide swath of the earth's surface acquiring an estimate of ground elevation every few square meters. The before- and after-Ivan elevation data can be compared to determine the patterns and magnitudes of erosion and accretion and the loss of buildings and infrastructure.

Presented here are 4 sets of pre- and post-storm 3D topography showing the breached barrier island at Pine Beach, AL; overwashed island in Gulf Shores, AL; destroyed Gulf-front houses in Orange Beach, AL; and a collapsed multistory building in Orange Beach, AL. Locations are shown on the clickable index map below.

Index map showing the locations of the Pre- and Post-Storm 3D Topographic Maps. Click on a red triangle or a title to view the maps or go directly to: Breached Island, Overwashed Island, Destroyed Houses, Collapsed Building.