Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

The Carter’s Grove bluffs are situated along the north bank of a meander of the James River in James City County, Virginia. The bluffs make up a section of unprotected, rapidly eroding shoreline that is bordered on both sides by sections of stabilized shoreline. This research focuses on the erosional processes and agents causing large undercuts at the base of the bluffs, and how these undercuts effect the erosion rates of the Carter’s Grove shoreline. These undercuts are, on average, 5 feet deep and are semi-continuous along the base of the bluffs. Storm waves from hurricanes and winter storms easily remove sediment and form these undercuts. The stratigraphic sequence of the bluffs provides an ideal setting for the formation of deep undercuts. The steep offshore profile and the long fetches focused on the study site allow for more powerful wave energy to be focused on the bluffs during a storm with winds from a southerly direction. Seasonal variance in the formation of the undercuts affects the amount and way material is removed from the bluff; summer storm waves form wave-cut platforms and winter storm waves promote a collapse and removal progression of material. This study concluded that the undercuts need to reach over 6 feet in depth before the factor of safety decreases to the point of Slope failure. When this landslide does happen the shoreline will recede by approximately 6 feet, making the overall erosion rate approximately 1.5 feet per year. The five-month period of observation and data collection on the changes in the undercuts and surrounding bluffs provide a substantial background to begin to characterize and quantify the erosion occurring in this area.

Date Awarded

2000

Department

Geology

Advisor 1

Gerald H. Johnson

Advisor 2

Gregory S. Hancock

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