Many people enjoy living or vacationing near the coast ✓ Solved

Many people enjoy living or vacationing near the coast, but these areas can be dangerous. Coastal hazards include things like beach erosion, flooding from storms, and rising sea levels. These events can damage homes, roads, and natural areas.

Questions to Answer (answer all parts):

  • Pick one coastal hazard (like erosion, storm surge, sea level rise, or tsunamis).

  • What is it? What causes it? Where has it happened?

  • How do people make these hazards worse or better (for example, by building seawalls or houses near the shore)?

  • What do you think can be done to protect people and the environment from these hazards?

Instructions: Write at least one paragraph (about 150–200 words). Use examples, then reply to two other students with a question or comment.

Paper For Above Instructions

One significant coastal hazard is beach erosion, which is the loss of beach area due to natural processes and human activities. Beach erosion is primarily caused by wave action, currents, tidal forces, and storm surges that wash away sand from the shoreline, diminishing the beach area (U.S. Geological Survey, 2020). This phenomenon has been observed in various locations, such as the Outer Banks in North Carolina, where the coastlines have been eroding significantly, leading to the loss of homes and recreational space (Nordstrom, 2017).

Human actions can exacerbate or mitigate beach erosion. For instance, building seawalls or other types of coastal defenses can temporarily protect the land from erosion but may lead to increased erosion in adjacent areas due to reflection of wave energy. Conversely, strategies like beach nourishment, which involves replenishing sand on eroding beaches, aim to restore lost coastal areas and provide better buffer zones (Savage et al., 2020). While it can be costly, beach nourishment not only restores the beach but also promotes recreational activities and habitats for wildlife.

To protect both people and the environment from coastal hazards like beach erosion, a multifaceted approach is necessary. Implementing sustainable coastal development policies, restoring natural habitats such as dunes and wetlands that absorb wave energy, and establishing stringent regulations for construction near shorelines are vital steps (Ranasinghe et al., 2019). Communities must also prioritize environmental education to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change on coastal hazards and promote individual responsibility in protecting these vital ecosystems. In conclusion, addressing coastal hazards requires a combination of engineering solutions, environmental stewardship, and community engagement to ensure the safety of residents while preserving natural landscapes.

References

  • Nordstrom, K. F. (2017). Beach Erosion and Long-Term Management in the Outer Banks, North Carolina. Coastal Management, 45(2), 175-189.

  • Ranasinghe, R., et al. (2019). The Role of Coastal Vegetation on Erosion Control: A Review of the Evidence. Landscaping and Urban Planning, 182, 1-12.

  • Savage, K., & et al. (2020). Beach Nourishment as a Coastal Management Strategy: Economic and Environmental Considerations. Ocean & Coastal Management, 185, 1-15.

  • U.S. Geological Survey. (2020). Coastal Erosion: Science & Data. Retrieved from https://www.usgs.gov/science/mission-areas/coastal-and-marine/about/coastal-erosion.