University of Massachusetts Boston ScholarWorks at UMass Boston Graduate Masters Theses Doctoral Dissertations and Masters Theses 12-2009 Rainsford Island Shoreline Evolution Study (RISES) Christopher V. Maio University of Massachusetts Boston Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.umb.edu/masters_theses Part of the Environmental Sciences Commons, and the Oceanography Commons Recommended Citation Maio, Christopher V., "Rainsford Island Shoreline Evolution Study (RISES)" (2009). Graduate Masters Theses. Paper 86. This Open Access Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Doctoral Dissertations and Masters Theses at ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. It has been accepted for inclusion in Graduate Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. For more information, please contact
[email protected]. RAINSFORD ISLAND SHORELINE EVOLUTION STUDY (RISES) A Thesis Presented by CHRISTOPHER V. MAIO Submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE December 2009 Environmental, Earth, and Ocean Science Program © 2009 by Christopher V. Maio All rights reserved ABSTRACT RAINSFORD ISLAND SHORELINE EVOLUTION STUDY (RISES) December 2009 Christopher V. Maio, B.S. University of Massachusetts Boston M.S., University of Massachusetts Boston Directed by Assistant Professor Allen M. Gontz RISES conducted a shoreline change study in order to accurately map, quantify, and predict trends in shoreline evolution on Rainsford Island occurring from 1890-2008. It employed geographic information systems (GIS) and analytical statistical techniques to identify coastal hazard zones vulnerable to coastal erosion, rising sea-levels, and storm surges. The 11-acre Rainsford Island, located in Boston Harbor, Massachusetts, consists of two eroded drumlins connected by a low-lying spit.