Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology (12th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0134074254
ISBN 13: 978-0-13407-425-2

Chapter 20 - Section 20.7 - Stabilizing the Shore - Concept Checks - Page 621: 1

Answer

Three examples of hard stabilization methods and their intended purposes are as follows. Seawalls are vertical structures made of concrete, steel, or other materials built parallel to the shoreline. They are intended to protect coastal properties and infrastructure from erosion and wave impact during storms, acting as a barrier reflecting waves back into the ocean, reducing their erosive force on the shoreline. Groynes are long, low structures built perpendicular to the shoreline. They are designed to trap and retain sand, preventing it from being carried away by longshore currents, and are used to build up or stabilize beaches in specific areas. Breakwaters are offshore barriers constructed parallel to the coast. Their purpose is to dissipate wave energy before it reaches the shoreline, protecting the beach and coastal structures from erosion by creating calmer water conditions behind them, allowing sand to settle and accumulate. However, all these hard stabilization methods can disrupt the natural movement of sand along the beach, leading to issues such as beach narrowing, erosion in certain areas, or the accumulation of sand in others.

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