179
continuously monitored Oregon Inlet with additional forays out to check the other
beach and estuarine stations. We reoccupied the stations wherever possible through
the waning stage of the storm, which is a particularly critical component of coastal
dynamics. The resulting sediment record of the storm is not necessarily the direct
product of highest energy, but rather deposition during declining energy regimes as
the storm abates.
Packaged in multi-layers of woolies and covered by nor’easter slickers we turned
our backs to the biting winds carrying cold rain that felt more like hail, wiped the
constant drips from our blue noses, and measured water level, current flow, and
sediment transport one more time. The first day was full of great enthusiasm and
excitement. The first night was awesome, mysterious, and contemplative. The second day was bleak, and students developed a respect for the raw power and energy
of the storm. The second night was filled with periods of fright separated by periods
of cold catnaps. If the storm continued into a third day, the lack of sleep combined
with the cold rain and constant roar of the wind and waves caused emotions to
degenerate into dismal despair. However, the storm was now often breaking up as
the winds switched to the northwest and patches of blue sky appeared giving a sense
of hope. As we dried out bodies, souls, and sleeping bags, we continued to monitor
the back side of the storm, which is an intense period of change as energy levels
decrease. Large storms would often result in higher than normal water levels on the
estuarine side of the inlet that would continue to interact and affect inlet dynamics
for days after blue sky had returned.
Sitting out storms on the various portions of the Oregon Inlet flats was like looking into the mouth of a dragon breathing (cold) fire and fumes into your face for
Fig. 11.6 The calm before the storm as frontal system moves across the Outer Banks at Nags
Head, North Carolina. (Image by S.R. Riggs)
11 A Scientist’s Personal 70-Year Discourse with Past, Present and Future Coastal…
continuously monitored Oregon Inlet with additional forays out to check the other
beach and estuarine stations. We reoccupied the stations wherever possible through
the waning stage of the storm, which is a particularly critical component of coastal
dynamics. The resulting sediment record of the storm is not necessarily the direct
product of highest energy, but rather deposition during declining energy regimes as
the storm abates.
Packaged in multi-layers of woolies and covered by nor’easter slickers we turned
our backs to the biting winds carrying cold rain that felt more like hail, wiped the
constant drips from our blue noses, and measured water level, current flow, and
sediment transport one more time. The first day was full of great enthusiasm and
excitement. The first night was awesome, mysterious, and contemplative. The second day was bleak, and students developed a respect for the raw power and energy
of the storm. The second night was filled with periods of fright separated by periods
of cold catnaps. If the storm continued into a third day, the lack of sleep combined
with the cold rain and constant roar of the wind and waves caused emotions to
degenerate into dismal despair. However, the storm was now often breaking up as
the winds switched to the northwest and patches of blue sky appeared giving a sense
of hope. As we dried out bodies, souls, and sleeping bags, we continued to monitor
the back side of the storm, which is an intense period of change as energy levels
decrease. Large storms would often result in higher than normal water levels on the
estuarine side of the inlet that would continue to interact and affect inlet dynamics
for days after blue sky had returned.
Sitting out storms on the various portions of the Oregon Inlet flats was like looking into the mouth of a dragon breathing (cold) fire and fumes into your face for
Fig. 11.6 The calm before the storm as frontal system moves across the Outer Banks at Nags
Head, North Carolina. (Image by S.R. Riggs)
11 A Scientist’s Personal 70-Year Discourse with Past, Present and Future Coastal…