The GSO Beach Survey was established in 1961 under the supervision of Dr. Robert L. McMaster, who supervised the program for many years.  Over the last couple of decades, the survey was conducted by many GSO students under the supervision of  Dr. John King, and since late 2020, the program has be overseen by Dr. J.P. Walsh in partnership with the COAST Lab. 

In its first year, only Moonstone Beach and Weekapaug Beach were surveyed, but the program was expanded to include East Beach and Greenhill in 1962. The program expanded again in the mid 1970’s. Charlestown Town Beach was added in 1975; a second site on East Beach was added in 1976, and Misquamicut and Charlestown Breachway were added in 1977, bringing the total number of surveyed beaches to eight. Due to damage from Hurricane Sandy, GSO surveying at Charlestown Breachway ceased in 2012.  

All of the sites have exhibited significant changes over time.  For example, the Moonstone Beach location in the Trustom Pond National Wildlife Refuge have seen many meters of erosion and progradation.

The beach survey has involved dozens of students over its decades of collection. Below is a list of many survey assistants. Please let us know if you think we are missing someone!

Previous Survey Assistants: