GERMANY'S COASTAL EROSION RISK

 

The German Coast extends over 3700 km on both the North (1600 km) and Baltic Seas (2100 km).  According to the website, Climate Change Post along the coast large low-lying areas are already threatened by recurring storm flood events and erosion. Accelerated sea-level rise therefore exacerbates a high risk situation.

Two-thirds of the 3,700 km coastline are eroding. The German coastline is mainly shallow and therefore are comprised of marsh, dune coast, or beach wall, while 11% of the coast (420 km) is steep. On the Baltic, more than half of the coastline belongs to the so-called Bodden Coast, Bodden in German translates to 'Shallow bays' and inlets cut off from the open Baltic Sea by islands, peninsulas, and narrow spits.
    
According to IPCC estimates global sea levels will accelerate significantly in the upcoming decades, increasing to three to four times the current rate by 2100. In researching the Think  Hazard information it is estimated for sea levels to rise during this period in the range of 49 cm. However, in shallow seas like the North and Baltic Seas, sea level rise caused by thermal expansion alone is thought to be proportionally higher. In this area with the available geological effects that are known, a 60 cm rise of mean water level is assumed to be more plausible for this area.
MITIGATION:
Along the East and North Frisian islands, only the densely populated areas are protected by dikes. Additionally, almost all tide-influenced tributaries of the Ems, Weser, Elbe, and Eider rivers have been protected by storm surge barriers since the 1950's. However, the slow subsidence of the older marsh areas which were the first ones to be protected by dykes near the edge of the upland area creates a particularly difficult situation for coastal protection and terrestrial drainage. Also, it has been observed that the heavy weight of dykes causes them to subside, while at the same time the calculated water level is rising.


Ref:
http://www.claimatechangepost.com>germany>coastal
http://www.thinkhazard.org>germany>coastal>erosion
 





Comments

  1. Adam GuzmanApril 24, 2024 at 9:05 PM

    Hello Kirk first of all great job with your blog second the country that I picked which is Italy is also suffering from flooding and erosion and a possible good solution I can give you that my country of Italy is doing right now is to have dedicated research teams watch the areas that flood and erode more if they can in Germany plus if you have the resources to in all I hope this situation in Germany gets resolved soon

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