Spatiotemporal variability of typhoon impacts and relaxation intervals on Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands

Research Article| February 01, 2016 Spatiotemporal variability of typhoon impacts and relaxation intervals on Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands Murray R. Ford; Murray R. Ford * School of Environment, University of Auckland, 10 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand *E-mail: m.ford@auckland.ac.nz Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Paul S. Kench Paul S. Kench School of Environment, University of Auckland, 10 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Murray R. Ford * School of Environment, University of Auckland, 10 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand Paul S. Kench School of Environment, University of Auckland, 10 Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand *E-mail: m.ford@auckland.ac.nz Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 04 Oct 2015 Revision Received: 09 Dec 2015 Accepted: 14 Dec 2015 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Online Issn: 1943-2682 Print Issn: 0091-7613 © 2016 Geological Society of America Geology (2016) 44 (2): 159–162. https://doi.org/10.1130/G37402.1 Article history Received: 04 Oct 2015 Revision Received: 09 Dec 2015 Accepted: 14 Dec 2015 First Online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Murray R. Ford, Paul S. Kench; Spatiotemporal variability of typhoon impacts and relaxation intervals on Jaluit Atoll, Marshall Islands. Geology 2016;; 44 (2): 159–162. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G37402.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Storms are important drivers of geomorphic change within atoll settings, causing rapid island erosion while also initiating island building through the generation of vast quantities of reef-derived sediment. Due to the combined effects of storms and sea-level rise, reef islands are thought to be on an erosional trajectory. Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands was struck by Typhoon Ophelia in A.D. 1958, causing significant geomorphic change to reef islands. Using aerial photographs as well as recent satellite imagery we track the impacts of the typhoon and the multidecadal recovery of islands. Ophelia caused a significant reduction in total land area of Jaluit Atoll, from 9.95 km2 to 9.45 km2 (–5.1%), with islands on the northeast rim collectively reducing in size from 4.72 km2 to 4.14 km2 (–12.2%). Between 1976 and 2006, 73 of 87 islands increased in size, with the total landmass exceeding the pre-typhoon area (10.25 km2). However, we observe considerable spatiotemporal variability of impacts and relaxation following the typhoon. Results indicate that despite significant typhoon-driven erosion and a relaxation period coincident with local sea-level rise, islands have persisted and grown. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.