Terrestrial processes affecting unlithified coastal erosion disparities in central fjords of Svalbard

Evangeline G. Sessford; Maj Gøril Bæverfjord; Anne Hormes

doi:10.3402/polar.v34.24122

Evangeline G. Sessford Sustainable Arctic Marine and Coastal Technology (SAMCoT)), Centre for Research-based Innovation (CRI), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 7a, 7491 Trondheim, Norway SINTEF Building and Infrastructure, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway, Høgskoleringen 7a, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Maj Gøril Bæverfjord 1)Sustainable Arctic Marine and Coastal Technology (SAMCoT)), Centre for Research-based Innovation (CRI), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 7a, 7491 Trondheim, Norway 2)SINTEF Building and Infrastructure, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway, Høgskoleringen 7a, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
Anne Hormes 3)The University Centre in Svalbard, Department of Arctic Geology, P.O. Box 156, N-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3402/polar.v34.24122

Keywords: Terrestrial-sourced hazards, coastal erosion, coastal geomorphology, Digital Shoreline Analysis System, Svalbard

Abstract

Terrestrial influences of coastal cliff morphology and hydrological impact on coastal erosion in unlithified cliff sediments in the inner fjords of Svalbard are assessed. Differential global positioning system measurements have been taken annually over the past two to four years at four field sites in central Svalbard. Measurements were combined with aerial imagery using ArcGIS and the Digital Shoreline Analysis System to calculate rates of erosion in varying geomorphological cliff types. A total of 750 m of coast was divided into two main cliff types: ice-poor and ice-rich tundra cliffs and further divided based on their sediment depositional character and processes currently acting upon sediments. The results show that the most consistent erosion rates occur in the ice-poor cliffs (0.34 m/yr), whereas the most irregular and highest rates occur in ice-rich cliffs (0.47 m/yr). Throughout the study, no waves were observed to reach cliff toes, and therefore erosion rates are considered to reflect an effect of terrestrial processes, rather than wave action. Terrestrial hydrological processes are the driving factors for cliff erosion through winter precipitation for ice-poor cliffs and summer precipitation for ice-rich cliffs. Sediment removal from the base of the cliffs appears to be mainly conducted by sea ice and the ice foot during break up as waves did not reach the base of the studied cliffs during the observed period.

Keywords: Terrestrial-sourced hazards; coastal erosion; coastal geomorphology; Digital Shoreline Analysis System; Svalbard

(Published: 28 September 2015)

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Citation: Polar Research 2015, 34, 24122, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v34.24122

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Author Biographies

Evangeline G. Sessford, Sustainable Arctic Marine and Coastal Technology (SAMCoT)), Centre for Research-based Innovation (CRI), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 7a, 7491 Trondheim, Norway SINTEF Building and Infrastructure, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway, Høgskoleringen 7a, 7491 Trondheim, Norway

I conduct contract research work within SAMCoT and SINTEF coastal erosion projects on Svalbard. I have a MSc. from the University in Oslo and have conducted all of my research on Svalbard within coastal erosion studies in the Department of Arctic Geology at The University Centre in Svalbard.

Maj Gøril Bæverfjord, 1)Sustainable Arctic Marine and Coastal Technology (SAMCoT)), Centre for Research-based Innovation (CRI), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Høgskoleringen 7a, 7491 Trondheim, Norway 2)SINTEF Building and Infrastructure, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway, Høgskoleringen 7a, 7491 Trondheim, Norway

SINTEF Building and Infrastructure

Department of Infrastructure

Leader of work package 6 - Coastal Technology in SAMCoT (Sustainable Arctic Marine and Coastal Technology) project.

Anne Hormes, 3)The University Centre in Svalbard, Department of Arctic Geology, P.O. Box 156, N-9171 Longyearbyen, Norway

Associate professor of Quaternary Geology in the Department of Arctic Geology at the University Centre in Svalbard.