Curt D. Storlazzi
Research Geologist & Oceanographer
Contact Information
E-mail: cstorlazzi@usgs.gov
Phone: (831) 427-4721
Fax: (831) 427-4748
Address:
USGS Pacific Science Center
400 Natural Bridges Drive
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
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Education
B.Sc., 1996, University of Delaware
Ph.D., 2000, University of California, Santa Cruz
Research Interests
My interests span the coastal zone, from seacliff erosional processes to sediment dynamics in the shallow coastal ocean. My research focuses on the quantitative study of hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and geomorphology in coastal and marine environments. Specific topics of interest include:
- Coral reef and rocky shoreface morphology, hydrodynamics, sediment distribution, and the resulting modes of sediment, larval, nutrient and contaminant transport
- The influence of coastal hydrodynamics on nearshore rock and reef biologic communities
- The influence of extreme storm events on the geomorphic evolution of rocky coasts
- The interplay between geologic structure, climatic fluctuations, and coastal processes
- Seacliff and shore platform erosional processes
- High-resolution oceanographic instrumentation and coastal mapping techniques
Current Area of Research
- The influence of physical processes on coral and bedrock reef habitats and ecosystems
The inner shelf comprises important hard (coral and bedrock) and unconsolidated sedimentary (sand and mud) habitat for many species of concern and commercial interest (including fish, benthic invertebrates and marine mammals). It is also these coastal environments that have been most impacted by infrastructure development, nutrient and contaminant delivery, and natural and human-induced sedimentation. The high geomorphic and hydrodynamic complexity both within and between coral and bedrock reefs, in conjunction with past technical restrictions, has limited our understanding of the nature of flow and the resulting flux of physical, chemical, and biologic material in these ecosystems. Understanding the physical controls on the timing and magnitude of flow and sediment, larvae, nutrient, and contaminant transport, along with their impact on seafloor geomorphology, stability, and sedimentation in these refugia are essential to assessing modern anthropogenic impacts (climate change, etc.) on these ecosystems.
This research utilizes in situ time-series instrumentation, water column profilers, GPS drifters, numerical modeling, and repetitive geophysical mapping to try better understand the influence of meteorologic and oceanographic forcing on hydrodynamics and the resulting water column properties and seafloor geomorphology. The goal is to clarify the connection between hydrodynamics, geologic processes, and the resulting changes in habitat and population dynamics of shallow water coral and bedrock reef biological communities.
The current study sites include Central California and the Hawaiian and Mariana Islands.
Recent Papers and Reports
These reports are in PDF format. You will need Acrobat Reader to view them. You may download a free copy of Reader from Adobe's web site; or contact me.
2008
Piniak, G.A., and Storlazzi, C.D., 2008. "Diurnal variability in turbidity and coral fluorescence on a fringing reef flat; Southern Molokai, Hawaii" Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, v. 77 i.1, p. 56-64, doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2007.08.023 [Download PDF (391K)]
Storlazzi, Curt D., and Jaffe, Bruce E., 2008. "The relative contribution of processes driving variability in flow, shear, and turbidity over a fringing coral reef: West Maui, Hawaii" Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, v.77 i.4, p. 549-564 doi:10.1016/j.ecss.2007.10.012 [Downoad PDF (1242 K)]
2007
Phillips, E.L., Storlazzi, C.D., Dartnell, P. and Edwards, B.D., 2007. "Exploring rippled scour depressions offshore Huntington Beach, CA" ASCE Coastal Sediments 2007 Meeting Proceedings, v. 3, p. 1851-1864. [Download PDF (1772 K)]
Presto, M.K., Storlazzi, C.D., Logan, J.B. and Grossman, E.E., 2007. "Submarine ground water discharge and fate along the coast of Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Hawaii. Part I: Time-series measurements of currents, waves and water properties: November, 2005 - July, 2006" U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1310, 47 p.
Storlazzi, C.D., Barnard, P.L., Collins, B.D., Finlayson, D.P., Golden, N.E., Hatcher, G.A., Kayen, R.E., and Ruggiero, P., 2007. "High-Resolution Topographic, Bathymetric and Oceanographic Data for the Pleasure Point Area, Santa Cruz County, California: 2005-2007" U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1270, 23 p.
Vitousek, S., Fletcher, C.H., Merrifield, M.A., Pawlak, G., Storlazzi, C.D., 2007. "Model scenarios of shoreline change at Kaanapali Beach, Maui, Hawaii: Seasonal and extreme events" ASCE Coastal Sediments 2007 Meeting Proceedings, v. 2, p. 1227-1240. [Download PDF (752 K)]
Wingfield, D.K. and Storlazzi, C.D., 2007. "Variability in oceanographic and meteorologic forcing along Central California and its implications on nearshore processes" Journal of Marine Systems, v. 68, p. 457-472. [Download PDF (851 K)]
2006
Bothner, M.H., Reynolds, R.L., Casso, M.A., Storlazzi, C.D. and Field, M.E., 2006. "Quantity, composition and source of sediment collected in sediment traps along the fringing coral reef off Molokai, Hawaii." Marine Pollution Bulletin, v. 52(9), p. 1034-1047. [Download PDF (659 K)]
Presto, M.K., Ogston, A.O., Storlazzi, C.D., and Field, M.E., 2006. "Temporal and spatial variability in the flow and dispersal of suspended-sediment on a fringing reef flat, Molokai, Hawaii." Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science, v. 67, pp. 67-81. [Download PDF (1137 K)]
Storlazzi, C.D., Brown, E.K., and Field, M.E., 2006. "The application of acoustic Doppler current profilers to measure the timing and patterns of coral larval dispersal." Coral Reefs, v. 25, p. 369-381. [Download PDF (1560 K)]
Storlazzi, C.D., McManus, M.A., Logan, J.B., and McLaughlin, B.E., 2006. "Cross-shore velocity shear, eddies and heterogeneity in water column properties over fringing coral reefs: West Maui, Hawaii." Continental Shelf Research, v. 26, pp. 401-421. [Download PDF (1218 K)]
Storlazzi, C.D., Presto, M.K., Logan, J.B. and Field, M.E., 2006. "Coastal Circulation and Sediment Dynamics in Hanalei Bay, Kauai. PART I: Measurements of waves, currents, temperature, salinity and turbidity: June - August, 2005." USGS Open-File Report 2006-1085, 35 p.
2005
Adams, P.N., Storlazzi, C.D., and Anderson, R.S., 2005. "Nearshore wave-induced cyclical flexing of seacliffs." Journal of Geophysical Research-Earth Surface, v. 110, F02002. [Download PDF, 2049 K]
[DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2004JF000217]
Drake, P., McManus, M.A., and Storlazzi, C.D., 2005. "Local wind forcing of the Monterey Bay area inner shelf." Continental Shelf Research, v. 25, pp. 397-417. [Download PDF, 1201 K]
Storlazzi, C.D., Field, M.E., Rogers, K., Jokiel, P.L., Brown, E., and Dykes, J.D., 2005. "A model for wave control on coral breakage and species distribution in the Hawaiian islands." Coral Reefs, v. 24, pp. 43-55. [Download PDF, 1044 K]
Storlazzi, C.D., and Presto, M.K., 2005. "Coastal Circulation and Water Column Properties along Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park, Hawaii. PART I: Measurements of waves, currents, temperature, salinity and turbidity: April-October 2004." USGS Open-File Report 2005-1161, 30 p.
Storlazzi, C.D. and Presto, M.K., 2005. "Coastal Circulation and Sediment Dynamics along West Maui, Hawaii, PART IV: Measurements of waves, currents, temperature, salinity and turbidity in Honolua Bay, Northwest Maui: 2003-2004." USGS Open-File Report 2005-1068, 34 p.
Storlazzi, C., Russell, M., Presto, K., and Burbank, J., 2005, Flow Patterns and Current Structure at the USS Arizona Memorial: April, 2005: USGS Open-File Report 2005-1334
Storlazzi, C., and Wingfield, D., 2005, Spatial and temporal variations in oceanographic and meteorologic forcing along the central California coast, 1980-2002: USGS Scientific Investigations Report 2005-5085
2004
Engels, M.S., Fletcher, C.H. III, Field, M.E., Storlazzi, C.D., Grossman, E.E., Rooney, J.B., Conger, C.L., and Glenn, G., 2004. "Holocene Reef Accretion: Southwest Molokai, Hawaii, U.S.A." Journal of Sedimentary Research, v. 74, no. 2, P. 255–269 [Download PDF (3527 K)]
Hatcher, G.A., Reiss, T.E. and Storlazzi, C.D., 2004. "Application of GPS drifters to track Hawaiian coral spawning." USGS Open-File Report 2004-1309, 14 p.
Ogston, A.S., Storlazzi, C.D., Field, M.E. and Presto, M.K., 2004. "Currents and suspended sediment transport on a shallow reef flat: South-central Molokai, Hawaii." Coral Reefs, v. 23, p. 559-569. [Download PDF, 4501 K]
Storlazzi, C.D., Field, M.E., Ogston, A.S., Logan, J.B., Presto, M.K. and Gonzales, D.G., 2004. "Coastal Circulation and Sediment Dynamics along West Maui, Hawaii, PART III: Flow and particulate dynamics during the 2003 summer coral spawning season." USGS Open-File Report 2004-1287, 36 p.
Storlazzi, C.D., Ogston, A.S., Bothner, M.H., Field, M.E., and Presto M.K., 2004. "Wave- and tidally-driven flow and sediment flux across a fringing coral reef: South-central Molokai, Hawaii." Continental Shelf Research, v. 24(12), p. 1397-1419. [Download PDF, 935 K]
Storlazzi, C.D., Russell, M.A., Owens, M.D., Field, M.E. and Murphy, L.E., 2004. "Dynamics of the Physical Environment at the USS Arizona Memorial: 2002-2004." USGS Open-File Report 2004-1353, 28 p.
2003
Storlazzi, C.D. and Jaffe, B.E., 2003. "Coastal Circulation and Sediment Dynamics along West Maui, Hawaii, PART I: Long-term measurements of currents, temperature, salinity and turbidity off Kahana, West Maui: 2001-2003." USGS Open-File Report 03-482, 28 p.
Storlazzi, C.D., Logan, J.B., and Field, M.E., 2003. "Quantitative morphology of a fringing reef tract from high-resolution laser bathymetry: Southern Molokai, Hawaii." Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 115, no. 11, pp. 1344-1355. [Download PDF, 2128 K]
Storlazzi, C.D., Logan, J.B., McManus, M.A., and McLaughlin, B.E., 2003. "Coastal Circulation and Sediment Dynamics along West Maui, Hawaii, PART II: Hydrographic Survey Cruises A-3-03-HW and A-4-03-HW Report on the spatial structure of currents, temperature, salinity and turbidity along Western Maui." USGS Open-File Report 03-430, 50 p.
Storlazzi, C.D., McManus, M.A., and Figurski, J.D., 2003. "Long-term high-frequency ADCP and temperature measurements along central California: Insights into upwelling and internal waves on the inner shelf." Continental Shelf Research, v. 23, i. 9, pp. 901-918. [Download PDF, 3736 K]
2002
Storlazzi, C.D., Field, M.E., Dykes, J.D., Jokiel, P.L., and Brown, E., 2002. "Wave Control on Reef Morphology and Coral Distribution: Molokai, Hawaii." WAVES 2001 Conference Proceedings, American Society of Civil Engineers, San Francisco, California, v. 1, pp. 784-793. [Download PDF, 505 K]
Storlazzi, C.D., and Jaffe, B.E., 2002. "Flow and sediment suspension events on the inner shelf of central California." Marine Geology, v. 181, pp. 195-213. [Download PDF, 1209 K]
2000
Storlazzi, C.D. and Field, M.E., 2000. "Sediment distribution and transport along a rocky, embayed coast: Monterey Peninsula and Carmel Bay, California." Marine Geology, v. 170, no. 3-4, pp. 289-316. [Download PDF, 1375 K]
Storlazzi, C.D. and Griggs, G.B., 2000. "The influence of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events on the evolution of central California's shoreline." Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 112, no. 2, pp. 236-249. [Download PDF, 450 K]
Acrobat Reader document -- download Reader, or contact me.
Web Links
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U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
