Harnessing spatio-temporal AI for coastal resilience
In today's world, where climate change is no longer a far-off concern but a present danger, coastal cities are increasingly vulnerable to storm surges.
By providing detailed and dynamic risk assessments, spatio-temporal AI supports informed decision-making in coastal planning and infrastructure development, helping to build long-term coastal resilience to the increasing threats of extreme weather events, coastal erosion, and climate change.
Such natural phenomena can cause extensive damage to infrastructure, disrupt communities, and even pose life-threatening risks to the public. Coastal regions (below 100 meters above sea level) are the most densely populated areas on the planet, home to over 40% of the world's population. The low-lying coastal zone alone (less than 10 meters above sea level) is home to 13% of the world's urban population. In this context, coastal storm surge risk analysis plays a critical role in enhancing the safety, resilience, and sustainability of coastal communities, while contributing to better environmental stewardship and economic stability.
Coastal erosion monitoring
Coastal erosion poses a threat to coastal infrastructure and property, including residential and commercial buildings, roads, bridges, and utilities. As the shoreline retreats, coastal infrastructure becomes more vulnerable to damage from waves, storms, and rising sea levels. The loss of property and infrastructure due to erosion can lead to economic losses, displacement of communities, and increased costs for rebuilding and relocation.
Earth observation data, including satellite imagery and coastal monitoring systems, can provide real-time or near-real-time information on coastal changes, erosion rates, and shoreline dynamics. By continuously monitoring these changes, coastal communities can receive early warnings about erosion hotspots, identify vulnerable areas, and take proactive measures to mitigate the impacts of erosion.
Coastal flooding
Erosion reduces the natural protective barrier provided by coastal landforms such as dunes and vegetation. This increases the vulnerability of coastal communities to storm surges, tidal inundation, and coastal flooding. Coastal erosion exacerbates the impacts of extreme weather events, putting lives, property, and infrastructure at risk. The increased frequency and intensity of storms due to climate change exacerbates these risks.
Coastal storm surge is a complex, dynamic phenomenon that plays a critical role in coastal systems, particularly during intense storm events. It is the abnormal rise of water above the normal tide, driven primarily by the strong winds associated with these storms and to a lesser extent by the low atmospheric pressure at the center of the storm.
Understanding the mechanisms of coastal storm surges, their impacts, and forecasting and mitigation strategies is critical to improving coastal resilience in the face of increasing storm intensity and frequency due to climate change.
Coastal surge risk monitoring is a dynamic and iterative process that requires the integration of technology, science, and community engagement. Combined with coastal storm surge risk analysis, it provides not only improves understanding and preparedness for climate risks, but also supports proactive planning and decision-making to mitigate the impacts of climate change on critical infrastructure and communities.
Shoreline change detection
The shoreline is considered one of the most dynamic linear features of the coastline and is simply defined as the physical interface between land and water. The position of the shoreline is continuously changing over time under the influence of oceanic elements (tides, waves, wind), coastal geomorphologic contexts (erosion, accretion) as well as human social and economic activities.
Determining the evolution of the shoreline over time is necessary for applications related to the direction of sediment transport, monitoring of coastal erosion/accretion and management of coastal resources.
Martial Humblot
