Images

A close-up of the Paramuricea polyps when open.

A massive colony of Paragorgia (bubble gum coral) with a squat lobster hiding among the polyps.

Paragorgia arborea, commonly known as "bubblegum coral" for its pink color and large polyps.

Photo of Sunset Beach, Florida, during tropical storm Colin in June 2016. The storm resulted in large waves and elevated water levels that caused erosion in this area, as can be seen in the scarp forming at the vegetation line. CMHRP researchers surveyed the elevation of the beach before and after the storm to quantify the storm's impacts.

Aerial imagery sequence of Indian Point, Louisiana, showing the contraction of the peninsula marsh in response to shoreline erosion since 1950.

Hurricane Sandy struck the New Jersey shore October 29–31, 2012. Houses, cars, and a street in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, were covered in beach sand after the hurricane's storm tide receded

USGS hydrologist Kaitlyn Colella and a Shinnecock Nation member work together gathering oyster and bed sediment samples along Long Island, New York, coast.

Extreme storms can drastically increase water levels and wave energy causing a breach, or complete erosion of the island itself. Hurricane Sandy created a breach in the Otis Pike High Dunes Wilderness Area at Fire Island National Seashore in NY.

Hurricane Sandy leveled dunes and moved eroded sediment from the dunes and beach across the island and into the estuary (Great South Bay) at Fire Island, NY.

An aerial view of Dauphin Island, Alabama, shows a thin strip of road partially covered by sand, with undeveloped beach in the foreground and developed beach in the background.

Scientists used a core from this Massive Starlet (Siderastrea siderea) coral colony in Dry Tortugas National Park to reconstruct ocean temperatures going back to 1837. Photo: USGS

A USGS diver beside a Massive Starlet (Siderastrea siderea) coral colony in Dry Tortugas National Park. Scientists used a core from this coral to reconstruct ocean temperatures going back to 1837. Photo: USGS, May 2012

The Along-Track Reef-Imaging System (ATRIS), deployed from an adjustable pole mounted to the side of a boat, can provide scientists with information about the condition and type of seafloor.

Photo collage showing researchers on 3 marine field trips. Left, photo of back deck of geophysical survey vessel during collection of bathymetry and seismic data; center, equipment tripod on deck of R/V; right, 2 researchers sit before computer monitors reviewing data as it is collected.

Oblique aerial photographs of Ocracoke Island, NC, from May 6, 2008 (top, pre-storm) and August 30, 2011 (bottom, post-storm, acquired three days after landfall of Hurricane Irene). The yellow arrow in each image points to the same feature. Overwash deposits of sand extend over the road after the storm.

Oblique aerial photographs of Hatteras Village, NC, from May 6, 2008 (top, pre-storm) and August 30, 2011(bottom, post-storm, acquired three days after landfall of Hurricane Irene). The yellow arrow in each image points to the same cottage.

Upper image: Oblique aerial photograph near Rodanthe, NC, looking south along the coast on August 30, 2011, three days after landfall of Hurricane Irene. Center: Oblique aerial photograph of central part of upper image from May 6, 2008, pre-storm; and August 31, 2011, post-storm. The yellow arrow in each image points to the same cottage.

Upper image: Oblique aerial photograph of Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, NC, looking north along the coast on August 30, 2011, three days after landfall of Hurricane Irene.

Post Hurricane Irene: Beach state after Hurricane Irene showing the exposure of a groin from loss of beach elevation (foreground) and beach and dune scarping due to elevated water levels (background).

During Hurricane Irene, sand eroded from the beach and dunes was transported landward, burying a walkway near the Fire Island lighthouse.

Oblique aerial photograph near Rodanthe, North Carolina, looking south along the coast on August 30, 2011, three days after landfall of Hurricane Irene.