Comparing Hudson Grotto Cores from 2023 and 2024: Can Data From Recent Hurricanes Aid in Identifying Characteristics of Past Storms?
Author: Cole Dusing
Comparing Hudson Grotto Cores from 2023 and 2024: Can Data From Recent Hurricanes Aid in Identifying Characteristics of Past Storms?
Author: Cole Dusing
Hudson Grotto is a coastal sinkhole 45m deep and 0.2 km from the Gulf of Mexico. It's proximity to the Gulf and low energy make it an ideal location for preserving high energy events in the sedimentary record. 2024 saw two major hurricanes that expressed unique characteristics as they passed by Hudson Grotto. Hurricane Helene caused high storm surge and Hurricane Milton caused high wind speed and low air pressure. This project aims to use collected data from 2024 hurricanes in conjunction with sediment core analysis to determine if it is possible to draw conclusions about historic hurricane characteristics from observing the sedimentological record. Cores were collected from Hudson Grotto post hurricanes and were analysed visually and with XRF in order to correlate event facies with event facies found in Hudson Grotto cores taken in 2023. Several possible correlations were made but none provided concrete evidence that one event facie could be correlated to one high energy event. Preliminary findings indicate that it is likely that there were significant sediment deposits resulting from the 2024 hurricanes. More analysis is needed before conclusions about specific characteristics can be made.
Video of Core Collection Process
2025 Spring Symposium Poster