Geospatial Investigation of Fort Ord Dunes State Park : GIS/GPS Applications

Abstract

The recently developed Fort Ord Dunes State Park north of Monterey, California, comprises of an eroding coastal dune complex. The project used several geospatial technologies to better understand both the internal stratigraphy of the dunes and assess the cultural impacts of the abandoned military base. In conjunction with ground penetrating radar (GPR), geospatial tools such as global positioning systems (GPS) and geospatial information systems (GIS) were used. GPS units with varying degrees of resolution mapped the location of the GPR transects and buried ammunition bunkers. The purpose of this study was to provide effective methodology to map and visualize the physical landscape which will aid in future park planning.