STORM DRIVEN SEDIMENT DEPOSITION ON PLUM ISLAND MASSACHUSETTS

Plum Island is a barrier island located off the coast in Northeastern Massachusetts. The island has been the subject of many geological and scientific studies for decades and as such, there is ample information available from which comparative analysis is possible. While there is a great deal of sedimentological data available there is a lack of direct storm impact studies which have been produced. The purpose of this research is to gain a greater understanding of what role coastal storms have in shaping the sediment distribution on Plum Island. This research used widely accepted sedimentology techniques to collect, process and report the findings of this research. Sample and data collection occurred before, during and after two of the March 2018 Nor’ Easter events which affected the island. The results of this study should reveal insights into the impact of powerful storms on sediment migration.