High-Tech Drone Mapping Revolutionizes Beach Erosion Management in Georgia
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📰 The quick summary: Scientists are using drone-mounted LiDAR technology to create detailed 3D maps of Tybee Island’s shoreline every three months, helping coastal communities better manage beach erosion and plan effective sand renourishment projects.
📈 One key stat: The research team has collected five years of high-resolution beach data recorded every three months, creating a precise picture of beach changes that helps identify exactly where erosion hotspots are located.
💬 One key quote: “I can compute what the elevation of the dune is, as well as how much volume has been lost or gained since a previous survey. I can also compute how long it will take until the beach is completely gone, or how long will it take until water reaches the dune system.”
1️⃣ The big picture: Scientists from the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography are using advanced drone technology to monitor coastal erosion on Tybee Island with unprecedented precision. Every three months at low tide, the team deploys a drone equipped with LiDAR that creates highly detailed 3D maps of the island’s seven-mile beach. This technology uses lasers to measure beach and dune elevations with remarkable accuracy, capturing features as small as footprints in the sand. The data collected is vital for both local leaders and the Army Corps of Engineers as they work to protect this barrier island from rising seas that continuously erode the beaches and dunes sheltering homes, businesses, and mainland areas.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: The detailed mapping provides coastal managers with precise, actionable data about where sand is being lost or gained over time. This allows for more targeted and efficient beach renourishment projects, focusing resources on the areas that need it most. The quarterly surveys help officials track exactly how different dune-building methods perform and which sand sources work best for vegetation growth. With five years of consistent data collection, including special surveys after major storms like Hurricane Helene, scientists can now predict erosion rates and anticipate problem areas before they become critical. This technology-driven approach transforms coastal management from reactive to proactive, helping communities better protect their shorelines against the increasing threats of climate change and sea level rise.
3️⃣ What’s next: The research team will continue collecting beach elevation data every three months to build an even more comprehensive picture of Tybee Island’s changing shoreline. This information will inform the next scheduled beach renourishment project, helping the Army Corps of Engineers place sand more strategically based on identified erosion hotspots. The city will also use the data to guide its own resilience initiatives, potentially securing additional grant funding by demonstrating the effectiveness of their evidence-based approach.
Read the full story here: Grist – Inside a Georgia beach’s high-tech fight against erosion
