Europe is currently recovering from some of the worst storms and flooding in decades.<br /><br />As the climate changes, sea levels rise and storm patterns become stronger and less predictable. <br /><br />Climate experts believe this is likely to lead to an increase in coastal erosion.<br /><br />Researchers at the University of Plymouth in south-west England have been monitoring the changes to beaches and cliffs along Cornwall’s coastline for three years.<br /><br />They say the more we know about the effects and changes caused by storms, the better prepared we can be next time. <br /><br />“We want to understand under what conditions – under what waves, under what tides – these structures are able to withstand the waves or under what conditions they flood and fail,” said coastal geomorphology professor Gerd Masselink. “And if you know that, then you have a tool that you can predict the chances of coastal flooding as a result of these extreme storms.”<br /><br />On average, researchers say, this coastline retreats by 20 to 30 centimetres a year. But this year they are expecting to lose between two and three metres.<br /><br />To better predict the risk of coastal flooding, they are using state-of-the-art equipment like acoustic devices and thermal cameras.<br /><br />Their goal is to record every little change during and after each storm.<br /><br />Coastal researcher Claire Earlier showed off one piece of kit they use: “This is a terrestrial laser scanner and we use this to scan the cliffs. It has a rotating laser that comes out and spins around and it actually scans the surface of the cliff.” <br /><br />Researchers hope the results of their study will help make informed decisions about where to avoid building new homes or major infrastructure like roads and railways in the future.
