Week 13: Coastal Hazards

 

Coastal Hazards are a problem in Chile because of its long coastline that stretches through most of South America. This makes Chile very vulnerable to coastal hazards such as high sea levels, coastal floods, and erosion. Coastal Erosions happen when waves crash over the shore, where they can cause displacement of land and sediment on the coastline. 


According to some research at the Pontificia Universidad de Chile, 86% of beaches between Arica and Puerto Montt are retreating, with erosion rates increasing simultaneously. 

Coastal erosion is important to help protect beaches, infrastructure, and is very expensive to repair any damages or irreparable damage. As time goes by, more and more beaches will start to shrink. 

An example of this happening in Chile is in Santo Domingo and Los Molles, where they are experiencing a rapid beach retreat due the sea erosion. It is recorded that the beach in Santo Domingo is receding at a rate of 5.7 meters per year.  At Los Molles beach, it was recorded that it was receding half a meter per year. 

The mitigation efforts that Chile has imposed to take care of the coastal hazards are early warning signs to people who live close to the coastal areas. Chile also helps its citizens prepare by having resources around for people to access and read the material. Chile is working to regulate human intervention on the coastlines to protect the critical areas. 

Building infrastructure, such as seawalls, will help prevent waves from crashing onto the shores that further shrink the beaches. These types of coastal protections will help to be used as a shield for these vulnerable areas. Ultimately, Chile hopes to implement more coastal regulations to protect its coastlines. 


Sources: 

https://www.uc.cl/en/news/uc-study-links-urban-development-beach-loss-and-rising-sea-swell-intensity/#:~:text=Vanishing%20Beaches%2C%20Rising%20Risks&text=Studies%20conducted%20by%20the%20Center,most%20popular%20coastal%20tourist%20destinations.

https://thinkhazard.org/en/report/51-chile/CF

https://noticiasambientales.com/environment-en/chile-faces-the-disappearance-of-80-beaches-a-concerning-call-to-action/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0964569117301564

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0964569117301564

Comments

  1. sebastianmaresApril 29, 2025 at 2:33 PM

    Hello Angelica,
    You did an excellent job of outlining the particular difficulties with coastal erosion and describing why Chile is particularly susceptible to coastal hazards. The fact that 86% of the beaches between Arica and Puerto Montt are retreating caught my attention in particular; that's a significant percentage that demonstrates how serious the issue is. By illustrating how rapidly some beaches are disappearing, your examples of Santo Domingo and Los Molles gave the problem a more tangible feel. Chile's emphasis on education, early warnings, and controlling coastal human activity is also wise, in my opinion. Seawall construction is undoubtedly beneficial, but I wonder if integrating it with more organic fixes, like reclaiming dunes or putting in flora, could eventually fortify the shore as well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. SteezyMay 2, 2025 at 11:37 AM

    Your blog post offers an excellent overview of the serious subject of coastal hazards in Chile, notably the worrisome rates of coastal erosion. The fact that 86% of beaches between Arica and Puerto Montt are receding is a shocking number that emphasizes the gravity of the environmental problem. Chile's wide coastline, while a geographic and economic asset, also puts it vulnerable to the damaging effects of increasing sea levels, storm surges, and human activity. The instances of Santo Domingo and Los Molles demonstrate how quickly these changes are taking place, with some beaches receding at rates of several meters each year. This endangers not only natural ecosystems but also coastal populations, infrastructure, and local economies, all of which rely on stable shorelines. Good job! Keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Daniel Sanchez-ReyesMay 4, 2025 at 7:33 PM

    This is a clear and informative summary of the coastal erosion problems in Chile. You clearly state the vulnerability of the country due to its long coastline, provide solid evidence on beach retreat rates, and provide concrete examples like Santo Domingo and Los Molles. Mentioning mitigation measures like early warning systems and seawalls shows that Chile is seriously considering the problem. In general, it's a solid summary of a very serious environmental issue. Have you thought about including how climate change may be adding to these dangers?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Adrian BlogMay 5, 2025 at 12:00 AM

    Hey Angelica I like your blog it was very interesting and information. The example you provided on Santo Domingo and Los molles shows that we should look at the situation especially since 86% of the beaches are retreating along the coast overall nice blog .

    ReplyDelete

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