Shoreline change dynamics along the Augusta coast, eastern Sicily, South Italy

Abstract

The coastal region of Augusta, eastern Sicily, Italy, is a densely populated zone, where human pressures profoundly shaped the coastal and land dynamics. So far, understanding the interaction between natural and human processes in modelling coastal geomorphology is still quite challenging. However, coastal and environmental monitoring poses the bases for managing coastal areas properly. Therefore, the aim of this research was first to understand the medium‐term shoreline changes along Augusta Bay between 1972 and 2021, and then assess the main local coastal modifications determined by the increasing coastal armouring. To do so, the shorelines dataset was extracted from Landsat and Sentinel‐2 satellite imageries using the NDWI and mNDWI methods and then statistical parameters were computed using Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). Results show that this coastal fringe experienced significant shoreline recession over the studied time interval. Negative shoreline shifts are higher in correspondence with torrent deltas, as a result of the increasing human and natural forces insisting on the land and coastal environments. Since 1970s, Augusta Bay registered a significant increase in artificial coastal length and a coastal armouring index of Maximal level was reached today.

Assessment of the 1693 tsunami wave generation and propagation simulation based on multiple focal mechanism scenarios for recent disaster mitigation in eastern sicily, Italy

“…The Manning roughness coefficient is retrieved from the land use surface coefficient values, the wave height input is in accordance with the Delft Dashboard and Delft3D simulations. The coastline of the eastern coast of Sicily was obtained from the latest coastline position research conducted by Laksono et al [ 70 , 73 ]. Where:H loss = tsunami height loss per 1 m of inundation distance (m)N = manning roughness coefficientH 0 = maximum wave height upon reaching the shoreline (m)S = slope (radian).…”

Shoreline Prediction Modelling as a Base Tool for Coastal Management: The Catania Plain Case Study (Italy)

“…The shoreline change analysis performed on the Catania coastal plain over the medium-term of ca. 50 years (1972-2022) pointed out that most of the shoreline faced persistent landward migration with more than 60% of the transects registering negative LRR values [57]. However, 21% of the coast retreated at a slow rate and landward migration between 0 and 0.5 m/year was recorded.…”

Assessing Satellite-Derived Shoreline Detection on a Mesotidal Dissipative Beach

“…The shoreline position provides quantitative information about the morphological state of the beaches and its changes [1], thus serving as, e.g., a valuable indicator for understanding long-term shoreline trend and their driver(s) [2], linking shoreline variability with climate modes of atmospheric and/or oceanographic variability [3], and forecasting future scenarios [4]. These applications are essential for supporting decision-making processes in the face of the diverse erosion problems that affect the coasts worldwide (e.g., [5][6][7][8]), therefore constituting one of the main issues in coastal zone management. Earth observation data have the potential to offer valuable information for the characterisation of coastal morphological changes from a local to a global scale and with high temporal resolution [9].…”