Spectral Analysis of LIDAR Data to Examine Beach Cusp Activity Along the Atlantic Coast of Florida

Beach cusp activity in the high-tide region of the beach face responds to a variety of parameters that have been studied and modeled over the past 30 years. During this time the typical evaluation method required field investigations to make observations regarding the size, length and overall predominance of the cusps. The advent of LIght Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) allows us to examine beach cusp data on long stretches of coastline. Interpreting LIDAR horizontal coordinates in conjunction with a specified elevation consistent with the berm crest, we generate time series with oscillations corresponding to cusp horns and embayments. We examine LIDAR data collected along portions of the Atlantic coast of Florida and evaluate beach cusp signals using wavelet analysis and s-transform analysis as a means to identify beach cusp activity. This new method of analysis seeks to provide insight into the spatial and temporal persistence of beach cusps along long stretches of coast. The large data set now available allows us to investigate the effects of individual parameters on beach cusp activity at both temporal and spatial scales.