Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior. The 2018 data are shown in gray hillshade, with the combined 2021 data superimposed in color. Index map at lower right shows the extent of each survey.
Walter A. Barnhardt, PhD
My scientific background is in marine geology and my passion is working on basic scientific problems that have societal and management implications. I focus on understanding how coasts have evolved through time and space, so we can better predict their future behavior and minimize losses due to storms, chronic erosion and sea-level rise.
I lead the Coastal and Shelf Geology Group at the Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. This internationally recognized team consists of about 25 scientists and technologists who apply state-of-the-art methods to map coastal/shelf environments and model the processes that shape them. Products and tools produced from our studies help resource managers to make sustainable, science-based decisions and mitigate the impacts of storms, sea-level rise, and human activities along the nation’s coasts. I have 30+ years of experience in New England, the Mid-Atlantic and Great Lakes, where I advise federal/state/local agencies, Tribal nations, and non-governmental organizations on coastal erosion strategies, environmental restoration projects, and offshore infrastructure development. I also oversee efforts to recruit students from under-represented groups to the USGS workforce through a speaker series and internship program with the City College of New York.
Science and Products
Massachusetts Integrated Coastal Studies (MICS)
Coastal erosion, intense storm events and sea-level rise pose threats to coastal communities and infrastructure. Managers and scientists often lack the high-resolution data needed to improve estimates of sediment abundance and movement, shoreline change, and seabed characteristics that influence coastal vulnerability. To address these and other needs the U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with...
Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Seafloor
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is conducting geologic mapping of the sea floor to characterize the surface and shallow subsurface geologic framework within the Massachusetts coastal zone. The long-term goal of this mapping effort is to produce high-resolution geologic maps and a Geographic Information System (GIS) that will...
Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior
Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior. The 2018 data are shown in gray hillshade, with the combined 2021 data superimposed in color. Index map at lower right shows the extent of each survey.
Detailed bathymetric maps of Buffalo Reef
Detailed bathymetric maps of Buffalo Reef. Improvements in grid resolution between the 2018 (left) and 2021 (right) surveys were facilitated by decreasing line spacing from 50 meters to 35 meters or less between adjacent lines.
Detailed bathymetric maps of Buffalo Reef. Improvements in grid resolution between the 2018 (left) and 2021 (right) surveys were facilitated by decreasing line spacing from 50 meters to 35 meters or less between adjacent lines.
SeaBOSS deployment in Lake Superior
Patrick Berube of WHCMSC prepares the SEABOSS for deployment in Lake Superior.
Patrick Berube of WHCMSC prepares the SEABOSS for deployment in Lake Superior.
Sampling operations on Lake Superior
The RV Desmid (foreground) alongside the RV Rafael during sampling operations on Lake Superior.
The RV Desmid (foreground) alongside the RV Rafael during sampling operations on Lake Superior.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Science and Products
Massachusetts Integrated Coastal Studies (MICS)
Coastal erosion, intense storm events and sea-level rise pose threats to coastal communities and infrastructure. Managers and scientists often lack the high-resolution data needed to improve estimates of sediment abundance and movement, shoreline change, and seabed characteristics that influence coastal vulnerability. To address these and other needs the U.S. Geological Survey, in partnership with...
Geologic Mapping of the Massachusetts Seafloor
The U.S. Geological Survey, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) is conducting geologic mapping of the sea floor to characterize the surface and shallow subsurface geologic framework within the Massachusetts coastal zone. The long-term goal of this mapping effort is to produce high-resolution geologic maps and a Geographic Information System (GIS) that will...
Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior
Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior. The 2018 data are shown in gray hillshade, with the combined 2021 data superimposed in color. Index map at lower right shows the extent of each survey.
Bathymetric map of Grand Traverse Bay, Lake Superior. The 2018 data are shown in gray hillshade, with the combined 2021 data superimposed in color. Index map at lower right shows the extent of each survey.
Detailed bathymetric maps of Buffalo Reef
Detailed bathymetric maps of Buffalo Reef. Improvements in grid resolution between the 2018 (left) and 2021 (right) surveys were facilitated by decreasing line spacing from 50 meters to 35 meters or less between adjacent lines.
Detailed bathymetric maps of Buffalo Reef. Improvements in grid resolution between the 2018 (left) and 2021 (right) surveys were facilitated by decreasing line spacing from 50 meters to 35 meters or less between adjacent lines.
SeaBOSS deployment in Lake Superior
Patrick Berube of WHCMSC prepares the SEABOSS for deployment in Lake Superior.
Patrick Berube of WHCMSC prepares the SEABOSS for deployment in Lake Superior.
Sampling operations on Lake Superior
The RV Desmid (foreground) alongside the RV Rafael during sampling operations on Lake Superior.
The RV Desmid (foreground) alongside the RV Rafael during sampling operations on Lake Superior.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.
Massachusetts inner continental shelf bottom photograph showing seafloor life.