Date of Award

2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Gilchrist, Sandra

Keywords

Rip, Rip Current, Sand Bar, Beach, Coast

Area of Concentration

Environmental Science

Abstract

Rip currents are seaward-flowing currents usually caused by a break or hole in a beach's sand bar. This study examines the role of the height of sand bars on rip current hazard on three Florida beaches (Miami Beach, Miami, FL, Lido Beach, Sarasota, FL, and Pensacola Beach, Pensacola, FL) and one Georgian beach (Cumberland Island Beach, Cumberland Island, GA). These areas were chosen for their variety in sand bar heights. Sand bar heights on these beaches were measured using surveying equipment. When possible, a rip channel was surveyed with at least three survey lines to capture the features of the rip channel. Rip current hazard on each beach was measured with lifeguard rip current rescue statistics, drowning statistics, and wave height statistics. A positive correlation was found between sand bar height and rip current hazard. From this correlation, it is suggested that rip current forecasts should include sand bar height in their models to provide better accuracy.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida Libraries, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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