Multi-decadal coastal change in New Zealand: Evidence, mechanisms and implications |
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| Authors: | Karin R Bryan Paul S Kench Deirdre E Hart |
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| Institution: | Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand,;School of Geography, Geology and Environmental Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand;Department of Geography, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand |
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| Abstract: | Abstract: Coastal research and monitoring on New Zealand beaches have typically examined seasonal and event-driven (storms) changes in the coast. However, historical records are now of sufficient length to indicate that change occurs at longer timescales. This paper presents examples of multi-decadal change at three case-study locations around New Zealand. Results show that morphological adjustment of the coast occurs at multi-decadal scales and is much larger than short-term dynamics. Physical mechanisms driving changes are ill defined but may be associated with El Niños and La Niña episodes which modulate waves and sea level, as well as changes in sediment supply. |
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| Keywords: | coastal change coastal hazards sand spits Mokau spit New Brighton Ohiwa spit |
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