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erosion or advancement of shoreline disturbing the equilibrum which is
the resultant of wave climate and morphology and is location specific.
Coastal erosion is a common problem along the coasts around the globe
calling for its protection that include cultivate lands , valuable properties
, power plants , tourist attractions , etc. The erosion resulting in the loss
of beaches and significant portion of the shoreline is common during
storms , cyclones and tsunami. The loss of beach material along the
shore is usually sudden and devastating .
Causes of coastal erosion :
Nature :
- Rise in sea level.
- Protruding headlands ,or rocks into the sea.
- Removal of beach material by wind drift.
Man-made :
- Construction of dams , dykes and other coastal structures.
- Removal of material from becaches for construction and other
purposes.
Strategy for coastal protection :
Requirements for a detailed evaluation for protection measures :
- Collection of seasonal field data .
- Use old and new satellites imageries to assess the shoreline
behaviour .
- A field visit along the coast.
- Use of G.I .S as a tool to map the coastal region . This would help
in the planning process of coastal protection .
- The effect of the recent tsunami on the shoreline sould also be
taken into account while detail planning is taken up .
Furthermore , prior to looking at the options in hand , for a coast under
stress due to erosion , a coastal sediment budget will help in the
planning of the protection measure.
The options for coastal protection are listed below :