Havsvallar

Havsvallar is a Swedish term for features along the shore that act as barriers against the sea. The word can refer to natural coastal cliffs formed by erosion as well as to man-made coastal defenses such as seawalls, revetments, and embankments designed to reduce wave impact and protect land.

Natural havsvallar are typically steep cliffs or rock faces shaped by long-term wave action, weathering, and rockfall. They range from hard, resistant rock to softer sedimentary formations. Erosion and undercutting can cause retreat, while talus and wave-cut platforms accumulate at the base.

Artificial havsvallar include seawalls and related structures built from concrete, masonry, stone, or sheet piling. They blunt wave energy, prevent flooding, and safeguard infrastructure. Common forms are vertical or sloped seawalls, revetments, gabions, and harbor barriers.

Design and maintenance must consider local wave climate, tides, sea-level rise, and sediment transport. Seawalls can reflect energy, cause foundation scour, beach loss, or altered coastal processes. Regular inspection, repair, and sometimes upgrades are needed after storms.

Environmental and social factors are integral to planning havsvallar projects, including beach erosion, habitat impact, aesthetics, and cultural heritage. In Sweden, havsvallar appear along vulnerable coastlines and are addressed within coastal management frameworks.