November 25, 2005
The second edition of “Living with the Changing California Coast” takes a look at the famed 1,100-mile California coastline that in recent years has been battered by ongoing erosion, periodic storm damage and other natural forces, resulting in heightened regulatory and ecological scrutiny.
The first half of the book provides information on coastal processes and hazards, with advice for home buyers, residents, coastal managers and developers, with sections addressing:
- Climate change.
- Rising sea levels.
- Coastal erosion.
- Coastal hazards response.
- Coastal policy and legislation.
The second half consists of 12 chapters, each providing a discussion of a geographic section of the coast.
Much has changed in the 20 years since the first edition of “Living with the Changing California Coast” appeared. People have continued to move to the coast, property values have skyrocketed, and the coast has been battered by stronger and more frequent storms. Starting with the El Nino event of 1978, the coastal climate shifted from a more moderate phase of its cycle to a period dominated by major El Nino events that bring powerful and destructive storms to the area.
“We entered this period of big El Nino events, with stronger storms, more cliff retreat, more beach erosion and more seawall proposals,” said Gary Griggs, one of the book’s authors. “The combination of more people, more hazards and higher property values has focused a lot of attention on this narrow strip of shoreline that is constantly changing.”
The book includes nearly 300 photographs and 81 detailed maps covering the entire coast. Kiki Patsch prepared the maps using geographic information system (GIS) technology to provide precise information on geologic hazards along the California coastline. The maps include hazard ratings, erosion rates (where available), coastal landform descriptions, locations of seawalls and other types of armoring, and other information.
The photographs illustrate damage to coastal structures and document natural and man-made features along the coast. Many of the photos were provided by the California Coastal Records Project.