| Summary: | Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited === Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) was used in a Geographic Information System (GIS) to quantify coastal changes to beaches and dunes in the Southern Monterey Bay region and to qualitatively assess the erosional impact of large storms on coastal dune areas. LIDAR provides a rapid and accurate survey technique to measure topographic elevation. A LIDAR survey was performed in October 1997 and then a second survey in April 1998 to measure the erosion occurring during the 1997-1998 El Nino winter storm. Maximum dune erosion occurred in the vicinity of Fort Ord (13 m) and Marina (15 m), along with significant dune recession in Monterey and Sand City. Beach erosion was prevalent from Moss Landing to Monterey showing the seasonal beach loss. There was a large spatial variability all along the shoreline, with many numerous erosional "hot spots". LIDAR data provide a high-quality representation of the episodic erosion process in Southern Monterey Bay, and also offers useful environmental information to the warfighter in terms of detailed beach or landing zone characterizations.
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