GRD Research Notes

GRD Research Notes
Author: Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories (U.S.). Geophysics Research Directorate
Publisher:
Total Pages: 96
Release: 1959
Genre: Geophysics
ISBN:

Coastal Hazards

Coastal Hazards
Author: Charles W. Finkl
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 839
Release: 2012-12-11
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 9400752342

This book covers the gamut of coastal hazards that result from short-term low-frequency events and have high-magnitude and far-reaching impacts on coastal zones the world over. Much of the world’s population now lives in low-lying coastal zones that are inherently vulnerable to natural hazards such as flooding from hurricanes, tropical storms and northeastern storm surges; shoreline (beach and dune) erosion; cliff and bluff failures; and saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers used for drinking water supplies. In addition to the usual range of hydrometeorological disasters in coastal zones, this book covers tsunami impacts and warning systems as well as global perspectives of sea-level rise impacts and human perceptions of potential vulnerabilities resulting from rip currents that cause many drownings each year on beaches. Today, the use of numerical models that help predict vulnerabilities and provide a basis for shore protection measures is important in modern scientific and engineering systems. Final considerations focus on human actions in the form of the urbanization and industrialization of the coast, shore protection measures, and indicate how environmental degradation around coastal conurbations exacerbates the potential for unwanted impacts. Strategies for environmental management in coastal zones, from low-lying wetlands to high cliffs and rocky promontories, are highlighted as a means of living in harmony with Nature and not trying to conquer it.

Coastal Governance

Coastal Governance
Author: Richard Burroughs
Publisher: Island Press
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2011-01-13
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1610910168

Coastal Governance provides a clear overview of how U.S. coasts are currently managed and explores new approaches that could make our shores healthier. Drawing on recent national assessments, Professor Richard Burroughs explains why traditional management techniques have ultimately proved inadequate, leading to polluted waters, declining fisheries, and damaged habitat. He then introduces students to governance frameworks that seek to address these shortcomings by considering natural and human systems holistically. The book considers the ability of sector-based management, spatial management, and ecosystem-based management to solve critical environmental problems. Evaluating governance successes and failures, Burroughs covers topics including sewage disposal, dredging, wetlands, watersheds, and fisheries. He shows that at times sector-based management, which focuses on separate, individual uses of the coasts, has been implemented effectively. But he also illustrates examples of conflict, such as the incompatibility of waste disposal and fishing in the same waters. Burroughs assesses spatial and ecosystem-based management’s potential to address these conflicts. The book familiarizes students not only with current management techniques but with the policy process. By focusing on policy development, Coastal Governance prepares readers with the knowledge to participate effectively in a governance system that is constantly evolving. This understanding will be critical as students become managers, policymakers, and citizens who shape the future of the coasts.

Marine and Coastal Geographical Information Systems

Marine and Coastal Geographical Information Systems
Author: Dawn J. Wright
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 418
Release: 1999-12-23
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1135733333

Marine and coastal applications of GIS are finally gaining wide acceptance in scientific as well as GIS communities, and cover the fields of deep sea geology, chemistry and biology, and coastal geology, biology, engineering and resource management. Comprising rigorous contributions from a group of leading scholars in marine and coastal GIS, this book will inspire and stimulate continued research in this important new application domain. Launched as a project to mark the UN International Year of the Ocean (1998) and supported by the International Geographical Union's Commission on Coastal Systems, this book covers progress and research in the marine and coastal realms, in the areas of theory, applications and empirical results. It is the first book of its kind to address basic and applied scientific problems in deep sea and coastal science using GIS and remote sensing technologies. It is designed for GIS and remote sensing specialists, but also for those with an interest in oceans, lakes and shores. Coverage ranges from seafloor spreading centres to Exclusive Economic Zones to microscale coastal habitats; and techniques include submersibles, computer modelling, image display, 3-D temporal data visualization, and development and application of new algorithms and spatial data structures. It illustrates the broad usage of GIS, image processing, and computer modelling in deep sea and coastal environments, and also addresses important institutional issues arising out of the use of these technologies.

Pitfalls of Shoreline Stabilization

Pitfalls of Shoreline Stabilization
Author: J. Andrew G. Cooper
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 340
Release: 2012-06-05
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9400741235

At the coast all is not what it seems. Decades of beachfront development have seen a variety of efforts to stabilize the shoreline to protect ill-placed beachfront property, both from shoreline erosion and from storm damage. Both of these problems become increasingly critical in a time of rising sea level. Many natural beaches are backed by sea walls, while others have been transformed by whole series of groynes, offshore breakwaters and a plethora of other schemes. Many recreational beaches are actually artificial replicas of the real thing, emplaced to protect badly placed infrastructure and maintained only through ongoing costly beach nourishment. However, all of these attempts to stabilize the shoreline are far from benign. Degradation and even complete loss of the all important recreational beach sometimes results from seawall emplacement. Increasingly, the choice of shoreline stabilization approach will depend upon plans for future response to rising seas which in many cases may involve retreat from the shoreline rather than holding the line. This book explores, through a series of case studies from around the globe, the pitfalls of shoreline stabilization and provides a ready reference for those with an interest in shoreline management. It is particularly timely in a time of global change.

Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology

Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology
Author: Robin Davidson-Arnott
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 541
Release: 2019-09-19
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1108424279

Grounded in current research, this second edition has been thoroughly updated, featuring new topics, global examples and online material. Written for students studying coastal geomorphology, this is the complete guide to the processes at work on our coastlines and the features we see in coastal systems across the world.

An Introduction to Underwater Acoustics

An Introduction to Underwater Acoustics
Author: Xavier Lurton
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 386
Release: 2002
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9783540429678

Presented in a clear and concise way as an introductory text and practical handbook, the book provides the basic physical phenomena governing underwater acoustical waves, propagation, reflection, target backscattering and noise. It covers the general features of sonar systems, transducers and arrays, signal processing and performance evaluation. It provides an overview of today's applications, presenting the working principles of the various systems. From the reviews: "Presented in a clear and concise way as an introductory text and practical handbook, the book provides the basic physical phenomena governing underwater acoustical waves, propagation, reflection, target backscattering and noise. ⦠It provides an overview of todayâs applications, presenting the working principles of the various systems." (Oceanis, Vol. 27 (3-4), 2003) "This book is a general survey of Underwater Acoustics, intended to make the subject âas easily accessible as possible, with a clear emphasis on applications.â In this the author has succeeded, with a wide variety of subjects presented with minimal derivation ⦠. There is an emphasis on technology and on intuitive physical explanation ⦠." (Darrell R. Jackson, Journal of the Acoustic Society of America, Vol. 115 (2), February, 2004) "This is an exciting new scientific publication. It is timely and welcome ⦠. Furthermore, it is up to date and readable. It is well researched, excellently published and ranks with earlier books in this discipline ⦠. Many persons in the marine science field including acousticians, hydrographers, oceanographers, fisheries scientists, engineers, educators, students ⦠and equipment manufacturers will benefit greatly by reading all or part of this text. The author is to be congratulated on his fine contribution ⦠." (Stephen B. MacPhee, International Hydrographic Review, Vol. 4 (2), 2003)

Environmental Science in the Coastal Zone

Environmental Science in the Coastal Zone
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 183
Release: 1994-02-01
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 0309049806

This book assesses the dimensions of our scientific knowledge as it applies to environmental problems in the coastal zone. The volume contains 10 papers that cover different aspects of science, management, and public policy concerning the coastal zone. A consensus is presented on several key issues confronting science for developing a more holistic approach in managing this region's intense human activities and important natural resources.

Remote Sensing of Coastal Environments

Remote Sensing of Coastal Environments
Author: Yeqiao Wang
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 460
Release: 2009-12-09
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1420094424

As coastal environments around the world face unprecedented natural and anthropogenic threats, advancements in the technologies that support geospatial data acquisition, imaging, and computing have profoundly enhanced monitoring capabilities in coastal studies. Providing systematic treatment of the key developments, Remote Sensing of Coastal Enviro