Hard-Rock Coastal Modelling: Past Practice and Future Prospects in a Changing World

Abstract

This paper reviews the history of conceptual and numerical modelling of hard rock coasts (mean annual cliff erosion typically < 1 mm up to 1 cm) and its use in studying coastal evolution in the past and predicting the impact of the changing climate, and especially rising sea level, in the future. Most of the models developed during the last century were concerned with the development and morphology of shore-normal coastal profiles, lacking any sediment cover, in non-tidal environments. Some newer models now consider the plan shape of rock coasts, and models often incorporate elements, such as the tidally controlled expenditure of wave energy within the intertidal zone, beach morphodynamics, weathering, changes in relative sea level, and the role of wave refraction and sediment accumulation. Despite these advances, the lack of field data, combined with the inherent complexity of rock coasts and uncertainty over their age, continue to inhibit attempts to develop more reliable models and to verify their results.

Quantification of contemporary storm‐induced boulder transport on an intertidal shore platform using radio frequency identification technology

“…Quarrying occurs where the ingress of water from breaking waves penetrates into the joints and bedding planes that separate individual blocks. Air pressure within the joints and planes increases, leading to crack propagation that eventually liberates the block from its adjacent neighbours (Stephenson and Kirk, ; Trenhaile and Kanyaya, , Trenhaile, ) (Figure , inset (a)). Boulder production is also initiated by undermining, whereby a consolidated limestone unit lies above a thin bed of clay‐rich marl.…”

The influence of rock uplift rate on the formation and preservation of individual marine terraces during multiple sea level stands

“…Bedrock sea cliffs erode by weathering, mass wasting, and various processes driven by wave attack. Because waves can impact and strain sea cliffs, and mobilize sediment (Trenhaile 2019, Adams et al, 2005, sea cliff erosion rates increase with wave energy flux in a range of environments over annual to million-year timescales (e.g., Young et al 2021, Alessio & Keller 2020, Huppert et al 2020. Sea cliffs are thus expected to retreat further inland and etch a wider shallow water platform in their wake when they are exposed to wave action for a longer period of time.…”

Morpholithodynamic processes and coastal development of the contact zone of the subarctic and temperate seas of the North Pacific

“…В настоящее время считается, что волновое воздействие является решающим в развитии таких берегов в областях с высокой волновой энергией, тогда как роль выветривания более значима в теплых умеренных и тропических районах [366]. Тем не менее, характер и относительная эффективность физико-химических и биологических процессов на бенче, влияние климата, волнового режима, диапазона приливов, характеристик скальных пород и пространственно-временное развитие процесса деструкции береговых платформ до настоящего времени не могут быть однозначно охарактеризованы [460].…”