Best of: The future of coastal erosion
The Future of Everything
Coastal Dynamics and Erosion
This chapter explores the complex processes influencing coastal erosion, including sea level rise and sediment buildup at river mouths. It emphasizes advanced techniques like LIDAR and cosmogenic isotopes for measuring and analyzing these changes over time.
It’s summertime, and for many of us that means a recreational trip to the beach or coast. Worldwide, billions of people live year-round near a coastline, and these settings can be responsible for everything from buffering storms and preventing sea-level rise to fishing, flourishing tourism, and trade. For all these reasons, the acceleration of coastal erosion is an important topic to understand. A couple years ago, we sat down with Jane Willenbring, a geoscientist who says that by studying what coastlines looked like long ago, we can better understand where they are headed and how to protect them. No matter where you live, we hope you’ll tune in to better understand the forces behind coastal erosion.
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Episode Reference Links:
- Stanford Profile: Jane Kathryn Willenbring
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Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces guest Jane Willenbring, a professor of Earth systems at Stanford University.
(00:01:30) What Causes Coastal Erosion
The natural processes that build up or break down coastal regions.
(00:02:58) When Coastlines Grow
Where and how coastal buildup can still occur, especially near rivers.
(00:04:11) Measuring Coastal Erosion
The technological and geological measurements used to track change.
(00:06:12) Dating Coastal Rock
Using cosmic radiation to help measure long-term erosion rates.
(00:07:48) Archaeology & Shifting Settlements
How ancient coastal settlements reflect environmental change.
(00:09:03) Tectonics vs. Erosion
Differentiating between sea level rise and tectonic land uplift.
(00:10:09) Infrastructure at Risk
The dangers of coastal erosion to critical infrastructure.
(00:12:12) Science Meets Policy
Why long-term erosion timelines complicate policymaking.
(00:14:11) Real-World Responses
Examples of successes and failures due to policy inaction.
(00:15:14) Disadvantages of Building Bridges
The unintended effects of building bridges and barriers.
(00:16:11) “Unzipping” Landscapes
How rivers and streams carve landscapes from the inside out.
(00:17:47) Sea Level Rise & Coastal Changes
The mechanics of sea level rise and how it increases erosion.
(00:19:25) Beaches as Natural Defenses
Why wide beaches are crucial to the protection of coastlines.
(00:20:42) Cliff Collapse & Beaches
What happens when sand is lost due to erosion or human intervention.
(00:22:11) The Social Impacts of Coastal Erosion
The effects of coastal erosion on different socioeconomic classes
(00:24:11) Public Health Risks of Coastal Erosion
The different health and infrastructure risks posed by unmanaged erosion.
(00:26:05) Vegetation, Kelp, & Green Solutions
The potential for vegetation and kelp to help soften coastal impact.
(0028:43) Conclusion
Connect With Us:
Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
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