Sea level anomalies exacerbate beach erosion

• Published in: Geophysical research letters 2014-07, Vol.41 (14), p.5139-5147
• Main Authors: Theuerkauf, Ethan J., Rodriguez, Antonio B., Fegley, Stephen R., Luettich Jr, Richard A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anomalies; barrier island; Barrier islands; Beach erosion; Beaches; Climate change; Coastal erosion; coastal management; Continental margins; Erosion; Global climate; Hurricanes; Management; Marine; Sea level; sea level anomaly; Sea level rise; Storms; Water levels
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1002/2014GL060544

Sea level anomalies are intra‐seasonal increases in water level forced by meteorological and oceanographic processes unrelated to storms. The effects of sea level anomalies on beach morphology are unknown but important to constrain because these events have been recognized over large stretches of continental margins. Here, we present beach erosion measurements along Onslow Beach, a barrier island on the U.S. East Coast, in response to a year with frequent sea level anomalies and no major storms. The anomalies enabled extensive erosion, which was similar and in most places greater than the erosion that occurred during a year with a hurricane. These results highlight the importance of sea level anomalies in facilitating coastal erosion and advocate for their inclusion in beach‐erosion models and management plans. Sea level anomalies amplify the erosive effects of accelerated sea level rise and changes in storminess associated with global climate change. Key Points Beach erosion facilitated by frequent sea level anomalies is measured during a year Anomalies facilitate as much or greater erosion than a year with a hurricane Sea level anomalies should be included in beach‐erosion models and management