Catch the King: Background

Catch the King is an annual community science initiative that mobilizes volunteers to map the extent of tidal flooding during perigean spring tides, also known as "king tides." These tides represent the highest astronomical tides of the year, occurring when the gravitational forces of the Moon and the Sun align, and the Moon is at its closest approach to Earth (perigee).

Participants in the event use a mobile app that collects location-based data points along the water's edge at peak high tide.

This crowdsourced data collection effort contributes to high-resolution mapping of tidal inundation areas, providing valuable empirical data for hydrodynamic modeling and flood forecasting.

Data Collection

"Catch the King" contributes to enhancing the accuracy of predictive models for coastal flooding, specially those developed by Dr. Derek Loftis at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. By incorporating the data collected by volunteers, researchers can improve the calibration and validation of models that simulate tidal dynamics and sea-level rise impacts. This approach addresses limitations in traditional data collection methods, which often lack the resolution needed for localized flood prediction and risk assessment.

Community Engagement

The Catch the King event exemplifies the integration of community engagement and scientific research, within the framework of

participatory science. It serves not only as a data-gathering exercise, but also as an educational platform that raises public awareness about the impacts of climate change, sea-level rise, and coastal resilience. Engaging citizens directly in the scientific process fosters a sense of stewardship and empowers communities to contribute to environmental monitoring and policy development.

Guinness World Record

Catch the King is the Guinness World Record holder for Most Contributions to an Environmental Survey.

Catch the King represents a multifaceted effort, with many important partners, that advances scientific understanding of coastal processes. This event promotes proactive community involvement in addressing environmental challenges associated with sea-level rise and recurrent flooding.