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This book covers the gamut of coastal hazards that range for short-term low-frequency events that have high-magnitude and far-reaching impacts on coastal zones the world over. Much of the world population now lives in low-lying coastal zones that are inherently vulnerable to natural hazards such as flooding from hurricane, tropical storm, and northeaster storm surges; shoreline (beach and dune) erosion; cliff and bluff failure; and saltwater intrusion in coastal aquifers used for drinking water supply. In addition to the usual range of hydrometeorological disasters in coastal zones, this book covers tsunamis impacts and warning systems as well as global perspectives of sea-level rise impacts and human perceptions of potential vulnerabilities resulting from rip currents that cause many drowning each year on beaches. Now important in modern scientific and engineering systems is the use of numerical models that help predict vulnerabilities and provide a basis for shore protection measures. Final considerations focus on the course of human action in the form of urbanization and industrialization of the coast, shore protection measures, and indicate how environmental degradation around coastal conurbations exacerbate the potential for unwanted impacts. Strategies for the environmental management in the coastal zone, from low-lying wetlands to high cliffs and rocky promontories, are highlighted as a means to live in harmony with Nature and not try to conquer it.
