Future Wind and Wave Projections for U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands
Summary
How will the wave and wind patterns change in the Pacific? Using global climate projections to drive models of ocean wave generation, this study generates current and future “wave climates” for the recent past and this century under two climate scenarios. The models provide averages and extremes of wind and wave conditions for 25 locations in the Pacific. These data offer a baseline of physical information for US-affiliated islands, as winds and waves are the dominant processes that influence coastal morphology and ecosystem structure, and can impact coastal infrastructure, coastal cultural sites and uses, and coastal-related economic activities such as fishing and tourism.
Suggested Citation
Storlazzi, C.D., Shope, J.B., Erikson, L.H., Hegermiller, C.A., and Barnard, P.L., 2015, Future wave and wind projections for United States and United States-affiliated Pacific Islands: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2015–1001, 426 p., DOI: 10.3133/ofr20151001.
PIRCA 