Areas most vulnerable to oil deposition can be identified by comparing island topography to modeled water levels, calculated as the sum of tide, storm surge, and wave runup. The maps presented here identify barrier island locations that may be overwashed or inundated by high tide, surge and wave runup (including wave setup). Should oil be present in an analysis area, the maps can be used to characterize the relative risk and extent of oil deposition.
The maps presented here identify areas most at risk to inundation and overwash, for several wave and wind scenarios in the Gulf of Mexico. For each scenario, representative values for tide, wave height, wave period, and surge were obtained from NOAA models. The total water level, including wave runup, was compared to lidar elevation data, collected by USGS and JALBTCX, to identify barrier-island locations where oil is most likely to be transport and deposited.
Topography: NAVOCEAN/USACE CHARTS; USGS EAARL
Wave Runup: USGS Coastal Change Hazards: Hurricanes and Extreme Storms
Waves: NOAA NWS Environmental Modeling Center (WaveWatch3)
Surge: NOAA NCEP Ocean Prediction Center
Tides: NOAA NOS/CO-OPS