The Core Banks barrier islands are relatively unaltered by human development. However, major geomorphic and ecologic changes have occurred in their character and dynamics since it became part of CLNS in 1966. To understand this evolutionary change, it is imperative to evaluate the barrier's recent history and develop a set of four-dimensional, process-response maps. The goal is to determine the causative processes and define the detailed responses operating within this dynamic and complex coastal system.

Seventy of the original 77 USACE survey transects established in 1960-62 along Core Banks were located and resurveyed to define vertical and horizontal changes through time. These transects were occupied by Godfrey et al. in 1972-74 for ecological mapping of Core Banks. Type localities were established along Core Banks for detailed time slice analysis using aerial photography. These were mapped at a 1:600 scale on 1998 DOQQ's and ground-truthed with cross-barrier geomorphic and ecological transects along the survey transects. Using these data sets, the geomorphic and ecologic mapping was extrapolated backwards through time utilizing georeferenced aerial photographic time slices back to 1940. The time-slice interpretations are integrated with GPR surveys and pre-existing drill data of Heron et al. Shallow vibracores will provide samples for stratigraphic analysis and age dating. The process-response geologic maps of undeveloped Core Banks are being compared to those of the highly modified Cape Hatteras National Seashore barrier system to the north to aid in future short- and long-term management of this coastal resource.