7500 km of Coast
The Italian coastline consists of about half low or delta coastlines, 3200 km of sand or gravel beaches, and the rest is hanging cliffs that drop off into the ocean.
A problem people face in some of these coastal towns is erosion of beaches. About 482 km of beach is under threat of erosion due to violent storms, rising sea levels, and coastal developments, such as the replacement of sand with concrete and the construction of hydro-electric dams. The construction of these dams have major influence of erosion because they slow erosion in river banks which leads to a reduction in the amount of sand being swept down into the coast. One beach that has been strongly affected is Capocotta Beach near Rome. Much of the sand and beach huts at this popular spot for the country's rich and famous are being swept away. The only preventative measure to stop this beach from disappearing is the transportation from nearby beaches to this beach to refill in the lost sand. Many people fear that in the years to come, these beaches will cease to exist.
Italian Coastal Erosion
Beach Erosion
yes, beach nourishment is probably the only 'easy' solution...I do not see touristic places being abandoned because of coastal erosion...any idea of erosion rates int his particular beach?
ReplyDeleteI did not find specific erosion rates on this beach (although a storm in 2011 had swallowed up about 30 meters of beach) but between 1950-2000, about five million cubic meters of sand has eroded through all Italian beaches. Also, the amount of sediment flow from the Mediterranean has gone down 20%.
DeleteI feel like they are going to have to come up with more long term solutions, since Italy is mostly coastline they can't really afford to lose it more of it. Good post.
ReplyDelete30m in one event!...WOW
ReplyDelete