Process-based coastal erosion modeling for Drew Point (North Slope, Alaska)

Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering
By: , and 

Links

Abstract

A predictive, coastal erosion/shoreline change model has been developed for a small coastal segment near Drew Point, Beaufort Sea, Alaska. This coastal setting has experienced a dramatic increase in erosion since the early 2000’s. The bluffs at this site are 3-4 m tall and consist of ice-wedge bounded blocks of fine-grained sediments cemented by ice-rich permafrost and capped with a thin organic layer. The bluffs are typically fronted by a narrow (∼ 5  m wide) beach or none at all. During a storm surge, the sea contacts the base of the bluff and a niche is formed through thermal and mechanical erosion. The niche grows both vertically and laterally and eventually undermines the bluff, leading to block failure or collapse. The fallen block is then eroded both thermally and mechanically by waves and currents, which must occur before a new niche forming episode may begin. The erosion model explicitly accounts for and integrates a number of these processes including: (1) storm surge generation resulting from wind and atmospheric forcing, (2) erosional niche growth resulting from wave-induced turbulent heat transfer and sediment transport (using the Kobayashi niche erosion model), and (3) thermal and mechanical erosion of the fallen block. The model was calibrated with historic shoreline change data for one time period (1979-2002), and validated with a later time period (2002-2007).

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Process-based coastal erosion modeling for Drew Point (North Slope, Alaska)
Series title Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering
DOI 10.1061/(ASCE)WW.1943-5460.0000106
Volume 138
Issue 2
Year Published 2012
Language English
Publisher American Society of Civil Engineers
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center
Description 9 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering
First page 122
Last page 130
Country United States
State Alaska
Other Geospatial Teshekpuk Lake
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details