Significant contribution of the 18.6 year tidal cycle to regional coastal changes
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Material Information

Title:
Significant contribution of the 18.6 year tidal cycle to regional coastal changes
Series Title:
Nature Geoscience Volume 1
Creator:
Gratiot, N.
Anthony, E.J.
Gardel, A.
Gaucherel, C.
Proisy, C.
Wells, J.T.
Publisher:
Nature Publishing Group
Publication Date:
Language:
English

Subjects

Subjects / Keywords:
Climate change ( lcsh )
Coastal management ( lcsh )
Tides ( lcsh )
Tropical cyclones ( lcsh )

Notes

Abstract:
Although rising global sea levels will affect the shape of coastlines over the coming decades1,2, the most severe and catastrophic shoreline changes occur as a consequence of local and regional-scale processes. Changes in sediment supply3 and deltaic subsidence4,5, both natural or anthropogenic, and the occurrences of tropical cyclones4,5 and tsunamis6 have been shown to be the leading controls on coastal erosion. Here, we use satellite images of South American mangrove-colonizedmud banks collected over the past twenty years to reconstruct changes in the extent of the shoreline between the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. The observed timing of the redistribution of sediment and migration of the mud banks along the 1,500km muddy coast suggests the dominant control of ocean forcing by the 18.6 year nodal tidal cycle7. Other factors affecting sea level such as global warming or El Ni˜no and La Ni˜na events show only secondary influences on the recorded changes. In the coming decade, the 18.6 year cycle will result in an increase of mean high water levels of 6 cm along the coast of FrenchGuiana,whichwill lead to a 90m shoreline retreat ( French )

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Source Institution:
Florida International University
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Aggregations:
Sea Level Rise