Tropical Cyclone-Induced Hazards Caused by Storm Surges and Large Waves on the Coast of China

Abstract

The mainland coast of China is about 18,000 km long and houses about 70% of China’s largest cities and 50% of its population. For the last few decades, the rapid growth of the Chinese economy has resulted in extensive development of the coastal infrastructure and property, large-scale expansion of coastal ports, excessive reclamation of coastal land, and a significant increase in the coastal population. Previous studies have indicated that tropical cyclones (TCs) have struck the coast of China at a higher frequency and intensity, and TC-induced coastal hazards have resulted in heavy human losses and huge losses to the Chinese coastal economy. In analyzing the long-term and most recent coastal hazard data collected on the coast of China, this study has found that TC-induced storm surges are responsible for 88% of the direct coastal economic losses, while TC-induced large coastal waves have caused heavy loss of human lives, and that the hazard-caused losses are shown to increase spatially from the north to south, peak in the southern coastal sector, and well correlate to storm wave energy flux. The frequency and intensity of coastal hazards on the coast of China are expected to increase in response to future changing TC conditions and rising sea levels. A simple two-parameter conceptual model is also presented for the assessment of coastal inundation and erosion hazards on the coast of China.

Storm-Induced Boulder Displacements: Inferences from Field Surveys and Hydrodynamic Equations

“…For the hazard assessment and defense planning of coastlines, reliable data on the impact produced by high-energy waves are required [1,2]. Geological surveys aimed at recognizing such an impact are indispensable in order to acquire data concerning the nearshore [3,4].…”

Storm-Induced Boulder Displacements: Inferences from Field Survey and Hydrodynamic Equations

“…The storm-induced displacements of boulders d, e, and f ( Figure 7) can be easily detected by considering the field evidences. Note that boulders d and f result from the break of one pre-existing boulder 2 (for details see Figure A4). The boulder displacements can be defined also through the comparison of transect photos ( Figure A5).…”

“…For the hazard assessment and defence planning of coastlines reliable data on the impact produced by high-energy waves are required [1,2]. Geological surveys aimed at recognizing such an impact are indispensable in order to acquire data concerning the nearshore [3,4].…”