How mapmakers frame the world and chart environmental change

Mark Mononier's book Coast Lines (2008, University of Chicago Press) talks about the four coast "lines": (1) the High-Water Line, (2) the Low-Water Line, (3) the Storm-Surge Line and (4) the Future Sea-Level Line.

 

For most of Alaska, there is only a High-Water Line and it is not very accurate in many places. A crude Low-Water Line, as depicted on small scale charts, is available for some locations . For the vast majority of the Alaska coastline there are no mapped Storm-Surge or Future Sea-Level Lines.

 

In the most recent ShoreZone mapping for Kotzebue Sound and Bristol Bay, ShoreZone introduced a Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI), which includes an Index of Flooding Sensitivity. This Flooding Sensitivity Index is based on observed flooding extent, marked by a storm-surge log-line in the backshore. So this new mapping module provides a categorical classification of storm surge and sea-level-rise sensitivity. It is not perfect, but is an inexpensive add-on to the ShoreZone dataset - it may be the best index that we have for many years until LIDAR surveys are conducted state-wide.

 

Thanks to the Western Alaska LCC for funding the CVI module and Joel Cusick (National Park Service) for recommending this book!

 

11/11/2013
November 12-14: MER exhibits our specialized oil spill preparedness and response tools at Clean Gulf - 2013
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12/1/2013
MER Savannah responds to a grounded vessel off Jekyll Island
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