AUTHOR=Murphy James , Plater Andy , Bird Cai , Arribas-Bel Daniel 

TITLE=Spatial-temporal variability: characterisation of a beach system using high resolution radar data

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Marine Science

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2023

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2023.1142077

DOI=10.3389/fmars.2023.1142077

ISSN=2296-7745

ABSTRACT=Intertidal areas experience a series of complex dynamic processes that affect beach morphology. Many of these processes are difficult to monitor, particularly due to the limited availability of highresolution data. This study aims to utilize novel, high resolution radar imagery to perform a spatiotemporal analysis of beach morphology. Beach elevation changes over the macrotidal nearshore of Rossall Beach are characterized, providing new insights into the morphological processes from fortnightly to seasonal time scales. The results of this analysis display a beach system in a seasonal steady state equilibrium, somewhat dominated by elevation changes within the spring and summer months. Though the analysis within this study is mostly explorative, it shows the potential of radar data for autonomous monitoring and spatio-temporal characterization of the coast. This enables coastal managers and stakeholders to build a long-term picture of the coastline, reducing vulnerability to coastal hazards and building resilience.