RT journal article
T1 A multi component approach to predict erosion susceptibility of rocky coasts: marine, terrestrial and climatic forcing—an application in Southern Italy
A1 Tursi, Maria Francesca
A1 Anfuso Melfi, Giorgio
A1 Manno, Giorgio
A1 Mattei, Gaia
A1 Aucelli, Pietro P. C.
A2 Ciencias de la Tierra
K1 Clif
K1 Rock platform
K1 Lithology
K1 Susceptibility index
K1 Coastal erosion
AB Rocky coasts are the most common type of coastal environment and are presently experiencing significant erosion as a consequence of accelerated sea-level rise and increase in coastal storms. This type of coastline, like all coastal environments,is subject to the effects of a huge number of marine and terrestrial processes that continually reshape them over time. Thisresearch suggests a new methodological approach for assessing the vulnerability of rocky coasts to forcing factors that maybe emphasised by ongoing climate change. The proposed approach combines two matrices: the Physical Element Index(PEIx), which assesses the most relevant morphological and geotechnical features of the considered landform to evaluateits susceptibility to erosion, and the Cliff Forcing Index (CFIx), which accounts for the marine forces impacting the specificcoastal form. In a first step, to construct the two matrices, several variables were selected from previous studies. In a secondstep, a specific weight factor (Wfi) was attributed to each variable, i.e. each one of the Physical Elements and Forcing Agentsconsidered, according to their specific relevance/contribution to cliff erosion susceptibility. In a third step, the two matriceswere combined through interpolation to generate the final Cliff Susceptibility Index (CSIx). The method was tested on different coastal areas sited along the southwest coast of Italy, differing in geological characteristics and marine conditions. Theanalysis demonstrated that most of the considered coastal sectors belonged to the “Low” (Cala Rossa, Cirella 1, Guardiola,Marechiaro, Punta del Corvo, Puolo, Torre di Mezzo), “Medium” (Capo Rama, Cirella 2, Seiano 1, Spiaggia del Poggio,Torrefumo 2) and “High” (Coroglio, Irminio, Punta Braccetto, Punta Pennata) classes of CSIx due to the interaction amongmorphological, geotechnical and forcing factors. This procedure allows the zonation of wide rocky coastal areas accordingto their grade of susceptibility and the identification of areas of criticism where specific studies and monitoring programsneed to be developed to adopt sound management strategies.
PB Springer
SN 1866-6299
YR 2025
FD 2025
LK http://hdl.handle.net/10498/37907
UL http://hdl.handle.net/10498/37907
LA eng
DS Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Cádiz
RD 10-may-2026