STORM SURGE AND GROUNDWATER OF THE GULFPORT FORMATION, HARRISON COUNTY, MS

The Mississippi coastline is a dynamic system undergoing constant modification by waves, wind and tidal forces, sudden and potentially catastrophic changes by tropical systems and long term changes in relative sea level. From 1901 to 2010, portions of the coast were inundated 5 times by storm surge greater than 10 feet. This study describes the impact of storm surge and the movement of groundwater within the shallow unconfined aquifer found within the Gulfport Formation located on the Coast of Harrison County in the state of Mississippi, USA. The study uses engineering logs, soil borings, potentionmetric maps and other components of techinical site specific reports to develop a model of the structure of the Gulfport Formation. Based on this model, rationale is given for treating the system as an island when considering the impact of storm surge.