Coastal Vulnerability Assessment of Olympic National Park To Sea-Level Rise

A coastal vulnerability index (CVI) was used to map the relative vulnerability
of the coast to future sea-level rise within Olympic National Park (OLYM),
Washington. The CVI scores the following in terms of their physical
contribution to sea-level rise-related coastal change: geomorphology, regional
coastal slope, rate of relative sea-level rise, shoreline change rates, mean
tidal range and mean wave height. The rankings for each variable were combined
and an index value calculated for 1-minute grid cells covering the park. The
CVI highlights those regions where the physical effects of sea-level rise might
be the greatest. This approach combines the coastal system's susceptibility to
change with its natural ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions,
yielding a quantitative, although relative, measure of the park's natural
vulnerability to the effects of sea-level rise. The CVI provides an objective
technique for evaluation and long-term planning by scientists and park
managers. The Olympic National Park coast consists of rocky headlands, pocket
beaches, glacial-fluvial features, and sand and gravel beaches. The Olympic
coastline that is most vulnerable to sea-level rise are beaches in gently
sloping areas.

[Summary provided by the USGS.]