Coastal Erosion description

Coastal erosion results from beach-ocean interaction coupled with human activity. The beach system is one that is considered to be in dynamic equilibrium. This means that sand is moved from one location to another but it does not leave the system. For example, winter storms may remove significant amounts of sand, creating steep, narrow beaches. In the summer, gentle waves return the sand, widening beaches and creating gentle slopes. Because there are so many factors involved in coastal erosion, including human activity, sea-level rise, seasonal fluctuations, and climate change, sand movement will not be consistent year after year in the same location.

Wind, waves, and longshore currents are the driving forces behind coastal erosion. This removal and deposition of sand permanently changes beach shape and structure. Sand may be transported to land-side dunes, deep ocean trenches, other beaches, and deep ocean bottoms. Coastal erosion poses many problems to coastal communities in that valuable property is frequently lost to this dynamic beach-ocean system. Additionally, human activity may promulgate the process of coastal erosion through poor land use methods. Thus, issues of beach restoration and erosion control are at the forefront in coastal communities.