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Category Archives: Beaches

Doubling of coastal erosion by mid-century in Hawai'i

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New research from scientists at the University of Hawaii at Mnoa and the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources brings into clearer focus just how dramatically Hawaii beaches might change as sea level rises in the future.

Chronic erosion dominates the sandy beaches of Hawaii, causing beach loss as it damages homes, infrastructure and critical habitat. Researchers have long understood that global sea level rise will affect the rate of coastal erosion.

For the study "Doubling of coastal erosion under rising sea level by mid-century in Hawaii," published this week in Natural Hazards, the research team developed a simple model to assess future erosion hazards under higher sea levels -- taking into account historical changes of Hawaii shorelines and the projected acceleration of sea level rise reported from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The results indicate that coastal erosion of Hawaii's beaches may double by mid-century.

"Business as Usual" leads to double erosion

Like the majority of Hawaii's sandy beaches, most shorelines at the 10 study sites on Kauai, Oahu and Maui are currently retreating. If these beaches were to follow current trends, an average 20 to 40 feet of shoreline recession would be expected by 2050 and 2100, respectively.

"When we modeled future shoreline change with the increased rates of sea level rise (SLR) projected under the IPCC's "business as usual" scenario, we found that increased SLR causes an average 16-20 feet of additional shoreline retreat by 2050, and an average of nearly 60 feet of additional retreat by 2100," said Tiffany Anderson, lead author and post-doctoral researcher at the UH Mnoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.

"This means that the average amount of shoreline recession roughly doubles by 2050 with increased SLR, compared to historical extrapolation alone. By 2100, it is nearly 2.5 times the historical extrapolation. Further, our results indicate that approximately 92 percent and 96 percent of the shorelines will be retreating by 2050 and 2100, respectively, except at Kailua, Oahu which is projected to begin retreating by mid-century."

Preparing for the future

The model accounts for accretion of sand onto beaches and long-term sediment processes in making projections of future shoreline position. As part of ongoing research, the resulting erosion hazard zones are overlain on aerial photos and other geographic layers in a geographic information system to provide a tool for identifying resources, infrastructure and property exposed to future coastal erosion.

"This study demonstrates a methodology that can be used by many shoreline communities to assess their exposure to coastal erosion resulting from the climate crisis," said Chip Fletcher, associate dean at the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology and co-author on the paper.

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Doubling of coastal erosion by mid-century in Hawai'i

DLNR study: Some Hawaii shorelines could be gone by 2050

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There's no doubt Hawaii beaches are eroding, but new research shows the erosion rate will be faster than before. According to a Department of Land and Natural Resources study, a big chunk of our beaches could be gone by 2050.

Click here to watch Cam Tran's report.

"We're going to six inches to three feet per century. That's the accelerated sea level rise. That is estimated to result in a foot of sea level rise by mid-century. By 2050," said University of Hawaii School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology Associate Dean Chip Fletcher.

UH scientists looked at how an increase in sea level would affect 10 different beaches on Kauai, Oahu and Maui.

Scientists say with the increase in sea level rise, Hawaii's beaches could see 20-to-40-feet of erosion by 2050. To put that into perspective, if that were to happen at Ala Moana beach, it would mean sand from the water line to nearly the edge of the lifeguard stand.

"If you increase the level of the water, not only do you have the water coming up to the higher portion of the beach, but, theoretically, the whole beach system is moving upwards and lateralwards to keep up with this increasing sea level," said UH SOEST researcher Tiffany Anderson.

Anderson says the north shore of Oahu has the worst rate of erosion while one windward beach is doing the opposite.

"Kailua has been historically growing over the last several decades. That would be the ones that's the healthiest for erosion," said Anderson.

A dramatic decline in Hawaii's beaches could put a big dent into our economy like at Kaanapali on Maui where researchers say in 30 years, every hotel along Kaanapali Beach is going to be experiencing an erosion problem.

Fletcher and Anderson say they will individually map out how erosion will affect the 10 beaches they studied. Then, it's up to the stake holders to decide on how what to do about the beach erosion problem.

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DLNR study: Some Hawaii shorelines could be gone by 2050

Mangaluru: 23 beaches in coastal districts to get facelift

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Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Mar 24: Minister R V Deshpande on Tuesday March 24 informed in the state legislature council that 23 beaches of the coastal districts will be developed through the tourism department of the state.

He was replying to a question raised by MLC Ivan DSouza. Ivan had raised two questions regarding the details of development of beaches and the road junctions to be built connecting the tourist spots in the coastal districts.

Thirteen of the junction roads which connect the tourist spots have received grants from the tourism department. Out of these, work on five junction roads has begun and tender process is on for another five. Tenders will be called by the PWD and port and inland water trannsport department for the remaining three works as the grant was released on this month, the minister informed.

The beaches to be developed include Someshwar, Ullal, Suratkal, Talapady and Sultan Battery beaches in Mangaluru taluk.

The other places to be developed in the coastal twin districts include a tourist lodge at Kateel near the Durgaparameshwari temple and at Moodbidri near Jain math.

Road from Mudipu town to St Joseph Vaz church and the road from Urwa market to Sultan Battery will also be developed under the same schemes, Deshpande said.

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Mangaluru: 23 beaches in coastal districts to get facelift

New research predicts a doubling of coastal erosion by mid-century in Hawai'i

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IMAGE:Chronic beach erosion is a global problem. Modeling now indicates that, in Hawai'i, increased sea level rise associated with the climate crisis may cause a doubling of this problem by... view more

Credit: C. Fletcher, UH SOEST.

Chronic erosion dominates the sandy beaches of Hawai'i, causing beach loss as it damages homes, infrastructure, and critical habitat. Researchers have long understood that global sea level rise will affect the rate of coastal erosion. However, new research from scientists at the University of Hawaii - M?noa (UHM) and the Hawai'i Department of Land and Natural Resources brings into clearer focus just how dramatically Hawai'i beaches might change.

For the study, published this week in Natural Hazards, the research team developed a simple model to assess future erosion hazards under higher sea levels - taking into account historical changes of Hawai'i shorelines and the projected acceleration of sea level rise reported from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The results indicate that coastal erosion of Hawai'i's beaches may double by mid-century.

Like the majority of Hawaii's sandy beaches, most shorelines at the 10 study sites on Kauai, Oahu, and Maui are currently retreating. If these beaches were to follow current trends, an average 20 to 40 feet of shoreline recession would be expected by 2050 and 2100, respectively.

"When we modeled future shoreline change with the increased rates of sea level rise (SLR) projected under the IPCC's "business as usual" scenario, we found that increased SLR causes an average 16 - 20 feet of additional shoreline retreat by 2050, and an average of nearly 60 feet of additional retreat by 2100," said Tiffany Anderson, lead author and post-doctoral researcher at the UHM School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.

"This means that the average amount of shoreline recession roughly doubles by 2050 with increased SLR, compared to historical extrapolation alone. By 2100, it is nearly 2.5 times the historical extrapolation. Further, our results indicate that approximately 92% and 96% of the shorelines will be retreating by 2050 and 2100, respectively, except at Kailua, Oahu which is projected to begin retreating by mid-century."

The model accounts for accretion of sand onto beaches and long-term sediment processes in making projections of future shoreline position. As part of ongoing research, the resulting erosion hazard zones are overlain on aerial photos and other geographic layers in a geographic information system to provide a tool for identifying resources, infrastructure, and property exposed to future coastal erosion.

"This study demonstrates a methodology that can be used by many shoreline communities to assess their exposure to coastal erosion resulting from the climate crisis," said Chip Fletcher, Associate Dean at the UHM School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology and co-author on the paper.

Mapping historical shoreline change provides useful data for assessing exposure to future erosion hazards, even if the rate of sea level rise changes in the future. The predicted increase in erosion will threaten thousands of homes, many miles of roadway and other assets in Hawai'i. Globally the asset exposure to erosion is enormous.

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New research predicts a doubling of coastal erosion by mid-century in Hawai'i

Wet Wipes Are Trashing U.K. Beaches, Says Study (Video)

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World By Michael Allen, Mon, March 23, 2015

There has been a 50 percent increase of wet wipes found on U.K. beaches since 2013, says a new report.

The wet wipes are found on the beach because more people are flushing the woven plastic material down the toilet, according to a new study by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).

MCS beach watch officer, Charlotte Coombes, told the BBC:

Our sewerage systems weren't built to cope with wet wipes. When flushed they don't disintegrate like toilet paper, and they typically contain plastic so once they reach the sea, they last for a very long time.

They can cause blockages in our sewers, and then, everything else that has been flushed down the loo can either back up into people's homes, or overflow into rivers and seas.

Overflows also happen during excessive rainfall or if the plumbing hasn't been connected up properly, meaning the wrong pipes head straight to the sea. That's when we find sewage-related debris, including wet wipes, on the beach.

Sarah Mukherjee, environment director for Water U.K., told the BBC that the only things that should be flushed down the toilet are poo, pee and [toilet] paper" (video below).

Overall, trash on the beaches from 2013 to 2014 increased by 6.4 percent, noted the report.

The study was based on trash picked up on 301 U.K. beaches by over 5,000 volunteers on Sept. 19-22, 2014.

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Wet Wipes Are Trashing U.K. Beaches, Says Study (Video)

Beaches with the best sand

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By Krisanne Fordham, David Jefferys

Courtesy Peter Adams Photography Ltd / Alamy

Courtesy GARDEL Bertrand/Hemis/Corbis

Courtesy Robert Harding World Imagery / Alamy

Swimming and snorkeling is great, but some beaches beckon for you to just lie back and dig your toes in their silky sand. According to Cond Nast Traveler readers, you'll find the world's best sand at the following beaches

Courtesy Peter Adams Photography Ltd / Alamy

Whitehaven Beach is consistently ranked as the worlds best beach, and with good reason: Its almost surreally beautiful. Besides its crystal clear waters, its known for its white sand, consisting of 98% pure silica which gives it a bright white color. Unlike regular sand, the sand on Whitehaven Beach doesnt retain any heatmaking it comfortable to walk on barefoot, even on a hot day. Its also one of the largest beaches in the Whitsundays, stretching over four long, gorgeous miles.

Courtesy GARDEL Bertrand/Hemis/Corbis

Cayo De Agua is a double threat: Its crystalline, pool-like waters are great for snorkeling and swimming, and its deserted ivory sands are perfect for doing absolutely nothing at all. Though most beaches in Venezuela are pristine, the arch-shaped cay is especially so; its part of the Los Roques Archipelago National Park, the largest protected marine park in the Caribbean Sea.

Tiny Cocoa Island is technically not a beach, but the soft, silvery ring of sand that encircles it serves the same purpose: You lie back, dig your toes in, sip on a cocktail, and watch the sunset. If you can somehow manage to drag yourself from its velvety shore, theres a coral reef teeming with marine life just a short swim away from Cocoa Island by COMO, Maldives resort.

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Beaches with the best sand

Volunteers brave winds, sea swells to collect a record amount of rubbish from Tasmanian beaches

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A group of volunteers has braved big swells and strong winds to clean-up some of the most remote beaches in Australia, smashing a record for the amount of garbage recovered.

The week-long expedition involved three dozen people travelling on fishing boats to the rugged south-west of Tasmania to pick up mountains of rubbish, mostly plastics.

The South West Marine Debris Cleanup, which is now in its 13th year and run by environmental scientist Matt Dell, is funded purely by donations and sponsorship.

This year the clean-up set a record for most items collected, with 37,000 items picked up in one day and a total of just over 79,000 items for the week.

Mr Dell said it was disappointing that the problem was getting worse.

"It's so obvious in this beautiful environment when there's rubbish lying around, it's supposed to be our jewel of the environment in Tasmania and it's pretty sad," he said.

"It has very, very open exposed beaches, they receive the highest wave energy of any of the beaches in Australia, and for that reason they're exposed and they collect a lot of rubbish."

The volunteers started at Cox's Bight, a long rocky beach inside the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area only accessible by light plane, a multi-day bushwalk or boat.

On the beach they found soft drink and beer cans, household items like a tomato sauce bottle and microplastics.

Mel Sheppard came from Queensland to pick up rubbish and said it was confronting to see what had washed up.

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Volunteers brave winds, sea swells to collect a record amount of rubbish from Tasmanian beaches


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