Human Interventions on the Beach

• define: groin, jetty, breakwater, seawall, hard stabilization

• for each type of hard stabilization, write a sentence or two on its effects

• how are groins and seawalls like potato chips?

• hard stabilization is actually illegal in NC - why might that be?

• what is beach renourishment? (same as replenishment)

• what is the effect of beach replenishment?

• what is the effect of moving buildings away from the beach?

Article about issues in New Zealand

http://www.niwascience.co.nz/pubs/wa/09-2/erosion.htm

• what 4 factors determine the shape of the beach?
• how do you expect a beach to look after a hurricane?
• describe the 3 ways humans can cope with erosion
• which erosion-managing mechanism do you think is best?
• hard stabilization is actually illegal in NC - why do you think that is?

Questions to Consider

• Pilkey suggests that buildings can be saved only by destroying beaches - what do you think?
• if you had to choose between beaches and buildings, which would you choose?
• who should pay for beach renourishment?
• who should pay for relocating beach houses?