Barrier Breaching Processes and Barrier Spit Breach, Stone Lagoon, California; Journal article

摘要

Review of the literature of barrier island and barrier spit breaching reveals there is a paucity of information on the physical processes beyond qualitative reporting of case studies, despite the significant potential environmental and societal consequences that unintended breaches can bring. A breach susceptibility index is introduced to classify breaching potential by storm surge or equivalent inundation mechanism. A recent breach of the barrier spit enclosing Stone Lagoon, located on the Pacific Ocean coast, Humboldt County, northern California, provides background for the discussion. The spit is believed to have breached seaward between March 13 and 15, 2002. Aerial photography was flown four times at approximately weekly intervals from March 18, documenting breach closure, movement of the ephemeral ebb shoal, and initial recovery of the barrier spit.