Single extreme storm sequence can offset decades of shoreline retreat projected to result from sea-level rise

AbstractExtreme storms cause extensive beach-dune erosion and are typically considered to enhance coastal erosion due to sea-level rise. However, extreme storms can also have a positive contribution to the nearshore sediment budget by exchanging sediment between the lower and upper shoreface and/or between adjacent headlands, potentially mitigating some adverse sea-level rise impacts. Here we use three high-resolution morphological datasets of extreme storm-recovery sequences from Australia, the UK and Mexico to quantify the nearshore sediment budget and relate these episodic volume changes to long-term coastal projections. We show that sediment gains over the upper shoreface were large (59–140 m3/m) and sufficient to theoretically offset decades of projected shoreline retreat due to sea-level rise, even for a high-end greenhouse gas emissions scenario (SSP5-8.5). We conclude that increased confidence in shoreline projections relies fundamentally on a robust quantitative understanding of the sediment budget, including any major short-term sediment contribution by extreme storms.</jats:p

Data for: Variability of sandbar morphometrics over three seasonal cycles on a single-barred beach

Alongshore averaged sandbar morphometric parameters are provided for Ensenada Beach (Baja California, Mexico), consisting of: sandbar positions, heights, distances, depths, widths and areas. In addition, nearshore wave measurements averaged over periods between these measurements are provided: significant wave heights (Hs), peak periods (Tp) and directions

Data for: Variability of sandbar morphometrics over three seasonal cycles on a single-barred beach

Alongshore averaged sandbar morphometric parameters are provided for Ensenada Beach (Baja California, Mexico), consisting of monthly measured sandbar locations, heights, distances, depths, widths and areas. In addition, wave measurements averaged over the periods of morphologic data are provided (Hs, Tp and Dir)

Data for: Variability of sandbar morphometrics over three seasonal cycles on a single-barred beach

Alongshore averaged sandbar morphometric parameters are provided for Ensenada Beach (Baja California, Mexico), consisting of: sandbar positions, heights, distances, depths, widths and areas. In addition, nearshore wave measurements averaged over periods between these measurements are provided: significant wave heights (Hs), peak periods (Tp) and directions.THIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV

Data for: Variability of sandbar morphometrics over three seasonal cycles on a single-barred beach

Alongshore averaged sandbar morphometric parameters are provided for Ensenada Beach (Baja California, Mexico), consisting of monthly measured sandbar locations, heights, distances, depths, widths and areas. In addition, wave measurements averaged over the periods of morphologic data are provided (Hs, Tp and Dir).THIS DATASET IS ARCHIVED AT DANS/EASY, BUT NOT ACCESSIBLE HERE. TO VIEW A LIST OF FILES AND ACCESS THE FILES IN THIS DATASET CLICK ON THE DOI-LINK ABOV