important. As glaciation proceeded, sea level rose in response to the return of water to the oceans; from 8000 to about 100 years ago, the ocean swelled an average of four inches every century. But over the last century, sea level has risen twelve to sixteen inches - a remarkable increase.' (The reasons behind the continued rise of sea level are discussed in Chapter 8.)

Yet, even if the last century's increase had not occurred, a rise in sea level at the slower rate of four inches per century would still destabilize coastal features. Beaches, salt marshes, and mud flats owe their position to a complex balancing act of one force against another. Thus, as the ocean pushes further inland, the beaches and marshes must move with it. Since the bedrock base of coastal Connecticut slopes into the water at a fairly gentle angle, a rise of a fraction of an inch can be very significant. Wide areas of land can be submerged by only a small increase in sea level, and coastal features are kept on the run trying to catch up with the changing conditions.

At several places, rising sea level has inundated fields cleared by colonial farmers along the water's edge. Stone walls that once lined fields now run across salt marshes and disappear into the Sound. One stone wall in Stonington's Barn Island Wildlife Management Area has been buried so deeply by salt-marsh peat and muck that only the very top of the wall stills peeks through. Much of what is the Barn Island Salt Marsh today was corn field 300 years ago.

The main bearers of strong wind and waves to Connecticut's Coast are winter storms, the famous nor'easters of New England. Although not as strong as hurricanes, nor'easters come much more frequently and thus can accomplish more than their tropical brethren. Still, the effect of an individual nor'easter is slight and normally goes unobserved by residents of the coast. Noticeable changes happen suddenly - usually as a result of hurricanes - and people often forget that the coast is always changing.

But one should not let the rhythm of the routine lull the mind into a sense of complacency concerning hurricanes. Fortunately, hurricanes

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