Geologic approaches to the determination of long-term coastal recession rates, matagorda peninsula, Texas

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The degree to which human modifications in the coastal zone have increased or decreased coastal erosion rates is difficult to determine owing to the short time period for which shoreline-position data are available. This limitation is circumvented in areas where long-term recession rates can be determined from geologic data. Three such areas from Matagorda Bay have been examined to determine the temporal variation in recession rates over the past several thousand years. Preliminary results indicate that recession rates over the past century may be 30% to 40% greater than those of prehistoric time. Although additional data are needed, it is suggested that accelerated rates result from human modification of the coastal zone, and that in the future increased recession rates can be anticipated.