Coastal Erosion-NATURAL HAZARDS IN THE PACIFIC

Erosion is the process where soft shorelines (sand, gravel or cobble) disappear and land is lost. Erosion generally comes in two forms; 1) A natural part of the coastal environment where a soft shore moves and changes in response to cyclic climatic conditions, and 2) Erosion can be induced by human interference of natural sand movement and budget patterns. Erosion can be slow and ongoing over many years or fast and dramatic following large storm events. Many erosion problems in the Pacific today, occur because of poor planning, inappropriate shoreline development, over crowding, beach mining for building material and due to reef degradation.