Overwash Processes on Assateague Island

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Abstract
The primary barrier dune on the northern portion of Assateague Island, Maryland is presently being scarped on its seaward face and breached by storm-generated surges. During storms, sediment-ladened water moves across the dune line onto the barrier flats as overwash. The objective of this project is to determine the role overwash plays in barrier island sedimentary dynamics. An overwash model has been suggested. The nonvegetated overwash fan serves as a reservoir for the eventual distribution of the storm-deposited sand. Eolian processes, after the storm, determine the net contribution of overwash sand to each of the different morphological features, i.e., dunes, marsh, beach, etc.