kysttilbaketrukking

Kysttilbaketrukking refers to the process where the coastline moves inland. This can occur naturally over long geological timescales due to factors such as changes in sea level, erosion by waves and currents, and tectonic activity. However, the term is increasingly used in discussions about contemporary coastal change, where human activities and climate change are significant drivers.

Sea level rise is a primary contemporary driver of kysttilbaketrukking. As global temperatures increase, glaciers and ice sheets melt, and ocean water expands, leading to a higher mean sea level. This encroaching water inundes coastal areas, causing erosion and permanent inundation of low-lying land.

Erosion, driven by wave action, storm surges, and currents, also contributes to kysttilbaketrukking. Natural coastlines are dynamic, and erosion is a constant process. However, human modifications to coastlines, such as the construction of hard structures like seawalls, can sometimes exacerbate erosion in adjacent areas by altering natural sediment transport patterns.

Other factors influencing kysttilbaketrukking include subsidence, where the land itself sinks, and the depletion of natural coastal defenses like sand dunes and coral reefs, which are vulnerable to damage from storms and human activities. Understanding kysttilbaketrukking is crucial for coastal management and planning, as it impacts infrastructure, ecosystems, and human settlements along the coast.