Modeling Shoreline Evolution on Platform Beaches

Taborda, R. and Silva, A.N., 2024. Modeling shoreline evolution on platform beaches. In: Phillips, M.R.; Al-Naemi, S., and Duarte, C.M. (eds.), Coastlines under Global Change: Proceedings from the International Coastal Symposium (ICS) 2024 (Doha, Qatar). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 113, pp. 283-288. Charlotte (North Carolina), ISSN 0749-0208. Embayed and shore platform beaches, common along rocky coastlines, are highly vulnerable to changes in oceanographic conditions and sediment supply. Coastal changes in embayed beaches involve sediment redistribution within embayments and exchanges between neighboring embayments, particularly in open or leaky sediment cells. Despite their importance, there is a shortage of shoreline models that couple shoreline evolution with sediment bypassing. The study introduces SEM-PLAT, a shoreline evolution model applicable to both low-lying sandy coasts and shore platform beaches on rocky coasts. Unlike traditional models, SEM-PLAT considers the dynamic behavior of the beach toe over time and sediment exchanges between embayments. It incorporates spatial gradients in wave-induced longshore sediment transport and a dynamic profile model, providing a comprehensive framework for complex shoreline evolution. Applications of SEM-PLAT demonstrate its effectiveness in simulating coastal processes, including beach development, rotation, and sediment bypassing. This model highlights key coastal geomorphological processes and offers a versatile tool for shoreline evolution studies and coastal management strategies.