Dataset Information

Modeling future cliff-front waves during sea level rise and implications for coastal cliff retreat rates.

ABSTRACT: It is often assumed that future coastal cliff retreat rates will accelerate as global sea level rises, but few studies have investigated how SLR (sea level rise) might change cliff-front wave dynamics. Using a new simple numerical model, this study simulates the number and type (breaking, broken, or unbroken) of cliff-front waves under future SLR scenarios. Previous research shows breaking waves deliver more energy to cliffs than broken waves, and unbroken waves generate minimal impact. Here, we investigated six cliff-platform profiles from three regions (USA, New Zealand, and UK) with varied tidal ranges and wave climates. Model inputs included 2013-2100 hindcast/forecast incident wave height and tidal water level, and three future SLR scenarios. Results show the number of both cliff-front breaking and broken waves generally increase for a high-elevation (relative to tide) cliff-platform junction. In contrast, breaking/broken wave occurrence decrease by 38-92% for a near-horizontal shore platform with a low-elevation cliff-platform junction under a high SRL scenario, leading to high (96-97%) unbroken wave occurrence. Overall, results suggest the response of cliff-front waves to future SLR is complex and depends on shore platform geometries and SLR scenarios, indicating that future cliff retreat rates may not homogeneously accelerate under SLR.

SUBMITTER: Matsumoto H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10987572 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Modeling future cliff-front waves during sea level rise and implications for coastal cliff retreat rates.

Matsumoto H H Dickson M E ME Stephenson W J WJ Thompson C F CF Young A P AP

Scientific reports 20240402 1

It is often assumed that future coastal cliff retreat rates will accelerate as global sea level rises, but few studies have investigated how SLR (sea level rise) might change cliff-front wave dynamics. Using a new simple numerical model, this study simulates the number and type (breaking, broken, or unbroken) of cliff-front waves under future SLR scenarios. Previous research shows breaking waves deliver more energy to cliffs than broken waves, and unbroken waves generate minimal impact. Here, we ...[more]

PMID: 38565914

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Dataset Information

Modeling future cliff-front waves during sea level rise and implications for coastal cliff retreat rates.

Publications

Modeling future cliff-front waves during sea level rise and implications for coastal cliff retreat rates.

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