Rock coast geomodel: process–response dynamics, resilience and vulnerability

Geology and geomorphology are linked starkly in coastal environments, exemplifying the importance of Fookes’ geomodel approach to understanding site dynamics. Cliffs, and the shore platforms that front them, are subject to both marine and subaerial processes. Throughout his work, Fookes emphasizes the role of climate as a weathering agent, influencing material properties and requiring consideration in engineering projects. Comparatively, more is known about the operation of rock weathering processes on shore platforms than on cliffs. Yet, with the changing climate, it is becoming apparent that winter salt and frost weathering, and summer salt and wetting–drying weathering, contribute to more frequent occurrences of coastal rockfalls. Increasing storm activity and rising sea-levels are enhancing marine and subaerial processes. Rock coasts are amongst the most rapidly eroding coastlines in Europe. New applications of technologies, including seismometers, LiDAR and InSAR, provide a fuller understanding of rock coast process–response geomodel behaviour and the resilience of rock coasts on engineering timescales. Communicating scientific understanding of rock coast dynamics to policy-makers, planners and the public remains a challenge. Assessments of the hazard, risk, resilience and vulnerability of rock coasts associated with climate change provide useful communication tools. Databases such as the British Geological Survey GeoCoast geohazard data product and EMODnet Geology (European Marine Observation and Data Network) coastal behaviour data products integrate and visualize available data and information to communicate situational awareness to a broad audience.