1967
Coastal Processes and Research. The process of erosion and accretion was first noted after the 1967 erosion events. In 1967 large volumes of sand were eroded from the upper part of the beach to a depth of about six metres, forming a storm bar.
What causes beach erosion on the Gold Coast?
High winds, powerful king tides and severe weather events – storms and cyclones – have all contributed to the erosion of beaches in the past and will continue to do so in the future. Erosion at Palm Beach following a cyclone that hit the Gold Coast in 1954.
How was the Gold Coast beaches formed?
Our Gold Coast sand originated from the Clarence River in New South Wales where granite rocks were transported downstream to the ocean. However, this changed 12,000 years ago until today when our sand is being delivered from the eroding beach ridges along Brunswick Heads.
How can Gold Coast beaches prevent erosion?
Seawalls. Seawalls are constructed along our coastline to protect coastal infrastructure from erosion. On the Gold Coast they are made of large boulders buried under the sand. They remain buried during periods of calm weather but can be exposed during storms.
What is the cause of beach erosion?
Coastal erosion may be caused by hydraulic action, abrasion, impact and corrosion by wind and water, and other forces, natural or unnatural. Softer areas become eroded much faster than harder ones, which typically result in landforms such as tunnels, bridges, columns, and pillars.
Why is coastal erosion happening?
What causes coastal erosion? Coastal erosion is typically driven by the action of waves and currents, but also by mass wasting processes on slopes, and subsidence (particularly on muddy coasts). On coastal headlands, such processes can lead to undercutting of cliffs and steep slopes and contribute to mass wasting.
Where is the Southport Spit located?
Gold Coast
The Southport Spit, referred to by locals as “The Spit”, is located north of Main Beach and stretches all the way up to the Gold Coast Seaway. The Spit is home to Sea World, Sea Wold Resort, the Sheraton Mirage Resort and Spa, Palazzo Versace, Marina Mirage and Doug Jennings Park.
What does beach erosion affect?
Beach erosion occurs when wind and water remove sand from the beach and move it to other locations. Severe erosion leads to flooding, building loss, and road damage.
How the sea erodes the coast?
Coastal erosion is the breaking down and carrying away of materials by the sea. Deposition is when material carried by the sea is deposited or left behind on the coast. Coastal erosion takes place with destructive waves. These destructive waves are very high in energy and are most powerful in stormy conditions.
What is the biggest cause of erosion at the beach?
All coastlines are affected by storms and other natural events that cause erosion; the combination of storm surge at high tide with additional effects from strong waves—conditions commonly associated with landfalling tropical storms—creates the most damaging conditions.
Where does the sand go that is eroded from a beach during a storm?
Sand eroded from a beach during a hurricane is gradually carried back by fair-weather wave activity and results in the rebuilding of the normal backshore and foreshore.
Is the Southport Spit man made?
The Spit has been present as a natural form since at least the 1800’s. It gradually moved in a northerly direction as the Nerang River silted up and then burst free to the ocean again. The river mouth was most likely open at Narrow Neck in the mid 1800’s and then near the Southport Surf Club in the late 1800’s.
What is the history of the Gold Coast beach erosion control scheme?
The Delft Hydraulics Laboratory of Holland, which had previously researched and reported on the beach erosion problems on the Gold Coast, again in 1976 presented a report to the Queensland Government which established a number of parameters which would be used in the final design of the scheme.
What are the coastal processes on the Gold Coast?
Beach erosion: Coastal processes on the Gold Coast. Alternate erosion and accretion. Two types of short-term transverse movements are observed on Gold Coast beaches due to wave action. These are known as erosion and accretion. During periods of higher wave energy and storm surge, a larger volume of sand is needed to absorb the energy.
Is the ocean swallowing up the Gold Coast’s beaches?
At Narrowneck, Surfers Paradise, the ocean is swallowing the beach as high tide eats away the foreshore, which City of Gold Coast Council says is the worst of the erosion. It comes as the coastline is still recovering after being battered by summer superstorms.
What is beach erosion and how does it occur?
Beach erosion: Coastal processes on the Gold Coast. Beaches are dynamic. Sand is moved by wind and currents, which are created by wave or tidal energy. The key function performed by the beach is to absorb this energy.
