1. SHORELINES

2. In this lesson we will learn:
Topics to cover
In this lesson we will learn:
how human and natural causes have changed the shapes of shorelines and barrier islands.

3. Introduction Human activities have a significant impact on shorelines
The 3 major impacts are:
Shoreline Development
Artificial Stabilization (structures built to prevent erosion and protect barrier islands)
Sea-level rise from climate change (melting glaciers & thermal expansion)
There are also natural changes in shorelines. These include
Natural sea level rise and fall over short term and long term periods
What term is used to describe structures that are built in coastal areas to prevent erosion?
What are 2 factors that impact climate change

4. Human Related - Sea Level Rise
The world’s oceans are definitely rising as the planet gets warmer.
Two factors contribute to this:
Melting glaciers
Thermal expansion in the ocean
Oceans are expected to rise up to 6.6 feet by due to thermal expansion and glacier melt.
What is thermal expansion?
To what level might oceans rise by 2100?

5. Shoreline Development
The coastline of the United States is highly populated. Of the 25 most densely populated U.S. counties, 23 are along a coast. 
 Coastal and ocean activities include:
marine transportation of goods,
offshore energy drilling,
resource extraction,
fish cultivation,
Recreation tourism
Development leads to the destruction of many marine species and habitats that provide benefits to society and natural ecosystems.
What are three activities that take place in coastal communities?
What are the consequences of coastal development?

6. Coastal Crisis
The coastal crisis is developing because of heavily populated areas with significant coastal development (construction) –
These areas that lack sufficient sand volumes, wide beaches, and protective dunes – risk great damage from hurricanes and coastal storms.
Describe the coastal crisis

7. Shoreline Development Facts
In 2010, million people — 39 percent of the U.S. population — lived in shoreline counties
Since 1970, the shoreline population grew by 40 percent.
Along the U.S. Atlantic Coast alone, almost 60 percent of the land that is within 3 feet of sea level is planned for further development
What percent of people on the Atlantic coast live within 3 feet of sea level?

8. Coastal Erosion
The most immediate threat to islands and coastal areas isn’t sea level rise, but erosion.
Shoreline erosion is the temporary or permanent loss of sand from the beach or dune systems- Erosion is driven by wave action, and big storms.
What is the most immediate threat to islands and coastal areas?
What is shoreline erosion?

9. Sea-level rise leads to coastal erosion and damage.
As the planet warms, cities, towns and villages face a double threat of rising sea levels and more severe storms that will wash away the shorelines
How are severe storms connected to shoreline erosion?

10. Coastal Erosion Example 1
Long Branch, NJ
May May 2012
Describe what happened to the shoreline between May 2009 and November 2012 in New Jersey

11. Coastal Erosion Example 2
Rodanthe, NC
August November 2012

12. Artificial Stabilization Efforts
Man-made structures have been created to prevent shoreline erosion. Examples include:
Groins
Jetties
Sea walls
Why are artificial stabilization structures created?

13. Artificial Stabilization Efforts
Groins and jetties are walls built perpendicular to the shoreline, to prevent sand from washing away
The problem with these structures is that they trap sand that is probably flowing to a neighboring beach.
So, if a groin on one beach is functioning well, it must be causing erosion elsewhere by “starving” another beach

14. Artificial Stabilization Efforts
There are groins present today on many North Carolina beaches, including Cape Hatteras, Cape Lookout, Bogue Banks, Kure Beach, Fort Fisher, and Yaupon Beach.
Where can you find groins in North Carolina?

15. Artificial Stabilization with Beach Nourishment
Includes dredging sand and sediment from outside locations.
Beach nourishment is the only shore protection method that adds sand to the coastal system and it is the preferred method for shore protection today
What is beach nourishment?
Why is beach nourishment the preferred method for artificial stabilization?
Nags Head, NC
November 2010 – August 2011