According to research, the central area of the Younghusband Peninsula in Australia is experiencing severe coastal erosion, shrinking by 100 meters since 1980 at an average rate of 1.9 meters per year.
Coastal sand dunes are being reduced due to encroaching seawater. (Photo credit: TimeOut).
According to a study published on March 28 in Australia, the coastal sand dunes in South Australia (SA) are shrinking due to alarming seawater encroachment.
In this study, a team of scientists from the Beach and Dune Systems Laboratory (BEADS) at Flinders University in the state conducted measurements on the Younghusband Peninsula – Australia’s longest coastal sand dune, which stretches 190 kilometers within the Coorong National Park. They discovered the rapid shrinkage of the sand dunes caused by seawater erosion.
The results indicate that the central area of this peninsula is undergoing severe coastal erosion, shrinking by 100 meters since 1980 at an average rate of 1.9 meters per year.
According to a detailed description in the aforementioned study, a new sand dune has developed in less than 5 years on the Younghusband Peninsula and has expanded inland by more than 100 meters within 8 years.
Co-author of the study, Patrick Hesp, stated: “This rate of shrinkage is particularly rapid, and if this trend continues to spread north and south as it currently is, it will significantly alter the dune system of Coorong National Park.”
Mr. Hesp emphasized that the results of this research should be regarded as a call to action to enhance studies on coastal processes, especially investigating the relationship between rising sea levels, future climate change, and coastal dune systems.
