Beach Erosion and Inundation - Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System
Original (non-English) name
Acronym
Beach Erosion and Inundation - SCCOOS
Citation
Abstract
Coastal inundation on the U.S. West Coast is often caused by the co-occurrence of high tides and energetic ocean waves. During storms, wave run-up can reach several meters above the tide level. Existing simple inundation models yield qualitative general information but not the information most valuable for issuing site-specific warnings for highway closures and sand-bagging. Quantitative inundation observations are critically needed to improve model accuracy. With rising sea levels and El Niño winters, it is crucial that a West Coast inundation model be developed for future safety and protection of coastal communities.