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Developing impact-based thresholds for coastal inundation from tide gauge observations
- Source :
- Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science, Vol 69, Iss 1, Pp 252-272 (2019)
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- CSIRO Publishing, 2019.
-
Abstract
- This study presents the first assessment of the observed frequency of the impacts of high sea levels at locations along Australia’s northern coastline. We used a new methodology to systematically define impact-based thresholds for coastal tide gauges, utilising reports of coastal inundation from diverse sources. This method permitted a holistic consideration of impact-producing relative sea-level extremes without attributing physical causes. Impact-based thresholds may also provide a basis for the development of meaningful coastal flood warnings, forecasts and monitoring in the future. These services will become increasingly important as sea-level rise continues.The frequency of high sea-level events leading to coastal flooding increased at all 21 locations where impact-based thresholds were defined. Although we did not undertake a formal attribution, this increase was consistent with the well-documented rise in global sea levels. Notably, tide gauges from the south coast of Queensland showed that frequent coastal inundation was already occurring. At Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, impact-based thresholds were being exceeded on average 21.6 and 24.3 h per year respectively. In the case of Brisbane, the number of hours of inundation annually has increased fourfold since 1977.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 22065865
- Volume :
- 69
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....a0fcdbd6db00cf8370c73a02fc2dca43