In coordination with the BU Multimedia Communication Laboratory and the UMB Center for Coastal Environmental Sensor Networks, a network of wireless video cameras was deployed on Thompson Island in Boston Harbor to monitor long-term erosion of the northern bluff and other coastal processes along the eastern side. This installation served two purposes. It was a test to see how well low cost video cameras on a long-distance wireless network could perform in a harsh coastal environment. And it was intended to be a resource for the Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center. The successful completion of the test spawned contracts for other camera installations in the Jones River Marsh and Essex Bay which have both been used to support serious scientific research. The Thompson Island organization is dedicated to educating school children in outdoor experiences and environmental science. The images gathered from this camera were used as an exhibit in the education programs run on the island.
Bluff Camera
The bluff camera was in place for 2 years and 3 months delivering daily images and video. It was used to study the infrequent but sudden slumping that has been rapidly eroding the bluff. It survived Hurricane Sandy, and many other storms afterward. It was finally knocked down by winter storm Juno on January 27, 2015. The project successfully proved that video cameras can provide valuable data for coastal research.
|
Oct. 27, 2012 (pre-Hurricane Sandy) |
Oct. 30, 2012 (post-Sandy) |
Dec. 18, 2012 (extreme high tide) |
Dec. 19, 2012 (post-extreme high tide) |
Dec. 22, 2012 (minor slumping) |
Dec. 24, 2012 (frost?) |
Dec. 25, 2012 (snow) |
Dec. 28, 2012 (post-45 mph winds) |
Jan. 4, 2013 (minor slumping) |
Jan. 6, 2013 (minor slumping) |
Jan. 11, 2013 |
Jan. 15, 2013 |
Jan. 18, 2013 (no high tides, ~32degF) |
Jan. 21, 2013 (early frost settling) |
Jan. 28, 2013 (7 days < 32F) |
Feb. 3, 2013 |
Feb. 12, 2013 (13' tide, 45mph wind) |
Feb. 16, 2013 |
Feb. 24, 2013 (max. frost settling) |
Mar. 7, 2013 (12.3' tide + storm) |
Mar. 10, 2013 (after storm) |
Apr. 22, 2013 |
Jun. 11, 2013 (before) |
Jun. 12, 2013 (after only wind gusts) |
Jun. 25, 2013 |
Jul. 24, 2013 (high tide) |
Click here to see the full time-series of pictures
Time series snapshots October 2012 to June 2013
Video of extreme high tide waves 12/18/12
Video of frost induced bluff settling 2/23/13
Beach Camera
A second camera was placed along the beach on the eastern side of the island. This was used to monitor beach changes and look for other interesting dynamics.
Dec. 4, 2012 |
Dec. 7, 2012 |
Dec. 8, 2012 |
High tide: Dec. 11, 2012 9:48 am |
Low tide: Dec. 11, 2012 1:54 pm |
Dec. 19, 2012 |
Dec. 21, 2012 |
Dec. 27, 2012 (30 mph winds) |
Dec. 28, 2012 (frost line?) |
Jan. 03, 2013 (snow) |
Jan. 6, 2013 |
Jan. 16, 2013 |
Jan. 28, 2013 (7 day < 32F) |
Feb. 3, 2013 |
Feb. 10, 2013 |
Click here to see other pictures from the beach camera
Video of 30 mph winds on beach 12/27/12
Other
Here is an example of a really cool USGS camera installation that also was used to monitor coastal erosion.