Earth Surface Dynamics
Earth Surface Dynamics
ESurf
Articles | Volume 4, issue 4
Articles | Volume 4, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-4-871-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/esurf-4-871-2016
© Author(s) 2016. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Articles | Volume 4, issue 4
Research article
 | 
02 Dec 2016
Research article |  | 02 Dec 2016

Complex coastlines responding to climate change: do shoreline shapes reflect present forcing or “remember” the distant past?

Christopher W. Thomas, A. Brad Murray, Andrew D. Ashton, Martin D. Hurst, Andrew K. A. P. Barkwith, and Michael A. Ellis

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Short summary
Complex sandy coastlines, such as capes and spits, are important socio-economically while underpinning and protecting important natural habitats. Although they may protect inshore areas, they are inherently fragile and susceptible to erosion. We have explored how spits and capes might adapt to changing wave climate through modelling. We find that coastlines may not be in equilibrium with current conditions, and past shapes may strongly influence those adapting to new wave climates.
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