Changes in storminess and shoreline evolution along the northern coast of France during the second half of the 20th century

Morphodynamics of beach/dune systems: examples from the coast of France

“…Nowadays, extensive stretches of dune coastline are relatively stable, as shown by a number of studies (Vasseur and Héquette, 2000;Battiau-Queney et al, 2003). Dune erosion also occurs with retreat rates that locally reached several metres per year during the second half of the 20th century (Corbau et al, 1993;Clabaut et al, 2000;Aernouts and Héquette, 2006), while the shoreline has also been advancing seaward at some locations during the last decades (Chaverot et al, 2008). We present here a synthesis of the results of investigations carried out on sediment transport processes on the shoreface, beach and coastal dunes of this part of the French coastline, and which provides insight into the interactions between these coastal units in a macrotidal setting.…”

“…It is unlikely that the present pattern of large-scale coastal dune stability (and even localised erosion) is due to the exhaustion of fine sand supply, as the shoreface sand banks are rich in fine sand. Analyses of changes in storminess and shoreline evolution during the 20th century have shown that coastal dune erosion and shoreline retreat are not primarily controlled by storm frequency and intensity, because periods of higher storminess have not necessarily resulted in more rapid retreat or more generalised coastal erosion (Chaverot et al, 2008). Our results suggest that at medium to long timescales, shoreline behaviour and coastal dune evolution are not simply controlled by the magnitude and frequency of hydro-meteorological forcing, but are also strongly dependent on the local sediment budget of the coastal zone.…”

Variations in the response of the dune coast of northern France to major storms as a function of available beach sediment volume

“…A major portion of the coast of northern France consists of wide sandy beaches and coastal dunes protecting low‐lying backshore areas from marine flooding (Figure ) despite a considerable expansion of urban and port areas during the twentieth century. Although the shoreline was stable or even prograded seaward in places during the last decades (Anthony et al , ; Héquette and Aernouts, ; Chaaban et al , ), several coastal areas underwent severe erosion during the same period (Aernouts and Héquette, ; Chaverot et al , ) while flooding sporadically occurred locally during major storms (Maspataud et al , ). The coast of northern France is densely populated and several areas are low reclaimed lands located below mean sea level and exposed to coastal hazards (erosion, marine flooding).…”

Vulnerability of the Dover Strait to coseismic tsunami hazards: insights from numerical modelling

“…Admittedly, no deposits attributable to a tsunami have so far been identified on the coastlines of northern France or southeastern England. Deposits are elusive at least partly because the coastline on both sides of the Dover Strait erodes (or locally accretes) at rates of at least 1 m yr −1 , whether due to natural causes such as storm surges, high waves, strong winds (Corbau et al 1993; Vasseur & Héquette 2000; Aernouts & Héquette 2006; Chaverot et al 2008) or to intense changes in land use (Ruz et al 2005). Absence of evidence, however, is not evidence of absence, and in a comprehensive synthesis of anomalous sea disturbances around British shores, Haslett & Bryant (2008) have cross‐examined the detailed historical accounts available for both the UK and the continent.…”