Annualmeeting:2017 CSDMS meeting-037
Browse abstracts
Modelling the Morphodynamic Interactions and Co-Evolution of Coupled Coast-Estuarine Environments
[[Image:|300px|right|link=File:]]The morphodynamics of coast and estuarine environments are known to be sensitive to environmental change and sea-level rise. However, whilst these systems have received considerable individual research attention, how they interact and co-evolve is largely unknown. Through a novel coupling of numerical models, this research is designed to explore the complex behaviour of these systems in terms of fluid flows and sediment fluxes. This includes elucidating the relative influence of various controls on system behaviour and exploring the effects that variable sea levels and changing wave climates may have on their evolution over the mid to longer term.
This research is being carried out through the modification and coupling of the one-line Coastline Evolution Model (CEM) with the hydrodynamic LEM CAESAR-Lisflood (C-L). Progress to date includes a new version of the CEM that has been prepared for integration into C-L. This model incorporates a range of more complex sedimentary processes in quasi-2d and boasts a graphical user interface and visualisation.
The model is being applied and tested using the long-term evolution of the Holderness Coast, Humber Estuary and Spurn Point on the east coast of England (UK). Holderness is one of the fastest eroding coastlines in Europe and research suggests that the large volumes of material removed from its cliffs are responsible for the formation of the Spurn Point feature and for the Holocene infilling of the Humber Estuary. Over the next century it is predicted that climate change could lead to increased erosion along the coast and supply of material to the Humber Estuary and Spurn Point. How this manifests will be hugely influential to the future morphology of these systems and the flood and erosion risk posed to coastal communities.
