Küstengeologie

Küstengeologie, also known as coastal geology, is the branch of geology that studies the processes and materials found in coastal areas. This includes the formation, evolution, and dynamics of coastlines, beaches, dunes, estuaries, and offshore islands. Coastal geologists investigate the interactions between land, sea, and atmosphere, focusing on phenomena such as wave action, tidal currents, sediment transport, sea-level change, and erosion.

The study of Küstengeologie is crucial for understanding coastal hazards like storm surges, flooding, and coastal erosion. It also plays a vital role in managing coastal resources, including sand dunes, wetlands, and marine ecosystems. Researchers in this field use a variety of techniques, including geological mapping, sediment analysis, remote sensing, and numerical modeling, to study these dynamic environments.

Key areas of research within Küstengeologie include the long-term evolution of coastlines in response to sea-level rise and tectonic activity, the short-term dynamics of beach profiles and dune systems under the influence of storms, and the impact of human activities such as coastal development and dam construction on sediment supply. Understanding the geological history of a coastline helps predict its future behavior and inform effective coastal management strategies, aiming to protect both natural environments and human settlements.