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Description
Coastal zones accommodate an increasing proportion of the world鈥檚 population and their assets and activities, yet are among the most riskiest locations from a geohazard perspective. This course introduces the fundamental processes that make coasts naturally dynamic, and also covers sea-level rise as a progressive geohazard that emerges from the interplay of climate change and vertical land movements of both natural and anthropogenic origin. Subsequent sessions cover specific hazards arising from shoreline erosion, storm surges and coastal flooding. The vulnerability of coastal cities and critical infrastructure is covered in detail, followed by case studies of the Hurricane Katrina disaster and Superstorm Sandy. Implications of geohazards for ecosystem management are also considered. The course concludes with a look at the challenges of adaptation and some of the ways that we can live more sustainably with coastal change and the impacts of climate change at the coast.
The course aims to:
1. provide a concise introduction to coastal systems and dominant processes;
2. equip students with a sound understanding of the nature of major geohazards and their interaction with human populations and coastal systems;
3. train students in GIS-based assessment of chronic erosion hazards;
4. demonstrate the methods used to determine extreme coastal water levels; and
5. to provide practical experience in the estimation of future coastal flood damage costs.
The course starts out by examining the scales of coastal behaviour in response to external environmental forcing
(climate, sea-level rise etc.) and intrinsic system dynamics. Subsequent sessions cover:
路 GIS-based analysis of coastal erosion hazards
路 Extreme value analysis to determine storm surge water levels
路 Impacts of sea-level rise on coastal cities
路 Coastal geohazards and critical infrastructure
路 Case studies of the Hurricane Katrina and Superstorm Sandy surge events
路 Estimation of global economic flood damage costs
路 Challenges of adaptation to coastal change and enhancing coastal system resilience
The course is delivered through a series of lecture material, reading, and computer-based practicals.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
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