Articles tagged with Coastal Erosion
Researchers discovered that significant amounts of terrestrial carbon are stored in the seabed, with microorganisms preferring fresh marine carbon over ancient terrestrial sources. This knowledge is essential for assessing the climate impact of thawing permafrost and its effects on atmospheric greenhouse gas levels.
A new digital mapping project has created a comprehensive dataset to safeguard UNESCO World Heritage sites along coastlines at risk of flooding and erosion. The Global Coastal Heritage (Glo-CoH) dataset includes 1250 individual heritage sites, spanning over 235 million hectares across the globe.
A new report from Scripps Oceanography suggests that in-ground sensors can provide reliable warnings of impending cliff collapses. The study detected movement in cliffs several hours to days prior to collapse, with one event leading to a 0.015-inch-per-day crack widening due to rain events.
Researchers argue that Louisiana's climate-driven land loss and population shifts could position the state as a global leader in planning for climate adaptation. The study combines coastal geology with archaeology, demography, and public policy to outline a long-term vision for the region.
A new study has analyzed a rare flooding event in the Maldives in July 2022 and found it could become a far more common occurrence in the future. By 2050, predicted rises in sea levels, coupled with increased extreme weather events, may result in such flooding happening every two to three years.
A recent study warns that Rapa Nui's Ahu Tongariki platform and up to 51 cultural assets will be impacted by coastal flooding due to sea level rise. The research provides critical data for community discussion and planning, highlighting the urgent need to protect UNESCO world heritage sites.
Researchers developed a new method to predict the effectiveness of mangroves in protecting coastlines against extreme weather events. The HU method uses wave non-linearity and can calculate wave height attenuation with ease, saving billions of dollars worldwide.
A new study reveals that 81% of O’ahu's coastline could experience erosion by 2100, with a further 40% loss happening by 2030. The research used computer models incorporating satellite imagery to predict the seasonal movement of sand, resulting in more severe erosion projections than previous studies.
Researchers from University of Jyväskylä recommend addressing vulnerabilities in coastal communities, such as uncontrolled shrimp farming and pollution. They suggest supporting environmentally friendly livelihoods like freshwater harvesting and agroforestry to promote sustainable development in mangrove forest areas.
A USC study has found a drastic increase in building collapses in Alexandria, Egypt, due to rising sea levels and seawater intrusion. The researchers used a three-pronged approach to assess the impact of shoreline changes on the city's buildings.
The 105th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will address key issues in weather, water, and climate. The meeting features a Presidential Forum on physical, social, cultural, and economic impacts of climate change, with experts from the region of the Mississippi River Delta.
A new study maps Arctic coastal communities and infrastructure, revealing that 21% of settlements will face damage due to erosion, while 45% will be affected by sea level rise. By 2100, 77% of the Arctic infrastructure may sit on ground no longer frozen solid.
A recent study has found that climate change is closely linked to global conflict crises, particularly in understudied regions such as South America, Oceania, and Southeast Asia. The research highlights the need for integrated peacebuilding and climate adaptation efforts to address these compounding issues.
Researchers provided first detailed estimates of sediment supply to coral reef islands, crucial for understanding climate change impacts. They found that around 0.1m³ (100kg) of sediment is delivered to islands per year, helping islands withstand rising seas.
The Arctic Landscape EXplorer (ALEX) provides spatially explicit information on recent or ongoing thaw and erosion in the Arctic. ALEX contains data on satellite-derived trends in land surface changes at 30m resolution, offering insights into permafrost stability and its impact on infrastructure and communities.
A new research project will explore the potential for low-lying coral atoll islands to survive the impact of rising sea levels, contradicting previous forecasts. The five-year £2.8m ARISE project will conduct extensive field tests and laboratory experiments in the Maldives and Pacific.
A team of researchers warns that global coastal adaptations are inadequate to address climate change threats, citing short-sighted policies and projects. The experts call for decisive action by the international policy community to identify and tackle key risk areas.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a new tool to estimate long-term coastal cliff loss, finding that rates are similar to those over the past 2,000 years. The study's approach provides a relative assessment of driving factors behind cliff retreat over longer periods, with implications for managing coastal erosion.
A study published in PLOS ONE warns of the dangers of coastal erosion on Libya's Cyrenaican coast, where numerous important archaeological sites are at risk. The research highlights increasing rates of erosion linked to human activities and climate change, emphasizing the need for detailed management and mitigation plans.
A new understanding of how particle shape controls grain flow can help engineers plan for downstream impacts of restoring a river or removing a dam. The MIT team's better formula estimates bed load transport by considering a grain's drag and friction, rather than its exact shape.
A new study has shown that seagrass can reduce cliff erosion by up to 70% in sandy sediments due to its root mats binding the sand. The researchers also found that replanting seagrass in areas where it has disappeared is essential for mitigating coastal erosion.
A new study models likely future cliff retreat rates of two rock coasts in the UK, finding that rock coasts are likely to retreat at a rate not seen for 3,000-5,000 years. The researchers predict that rock coast cliffs will retreat by at least 10-22 meters inland due to accelerating sea level rise.
A new study found that extreme weather events can mobilize hundreds of thousands of cubic meters of sand into beach systems, potentially offsetting shoreline retreat caused by sea level rise. Researchers used high-resolution measurements and specialized equipment to track sand movement before and after storms.
A new study quantifies landscape changes on barrier islands, revealing that storms can create habitat for coastal species. The research found varying impacts from two hurricanes, Irene and Sandy, which reshaped Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge.
A new study from the University of Hawaii predicts that coastal erosion in Hawai'i will double by mid-century, threatening thousands of homes and infrastructure. The model takes into account historical changes and projected sea level rise, indicating that shorelines will retreat an average of 16-20 feet by 2050 and nearly 60 feet by 2100.
The USGS reports that 45 million residents live in hurricane-prone areas, with population growth doubling since the 1960s. Coastal erosion is expected to result in 1,500 homes lost per year, with approximately 87,000 at risk within 60 years.
Geologist Edward Keller has discovered a lost island, Isla Calafia, submerged for over 13,000 years under the Santa Barbara channel. The island, 31 miles long and three miles wide, rises about 660 feet from the bottom of the channel and is bordered by two major earthquake faults.