ASSESSING PRESENT AND FUTURE MEDITERRANEAN SEA LEVEL RISE IMPACT ON ISRAEL'S COAST AND MITIGATION WAYS AGAINST BEACH AND CLIFF EROSION

Abstract

This paper presents the outcome of a coastal engineering hydro and morpho-dynamic model study using a number of numerical models which was conducted by the author on the erosion state of the Mediterranean coast of Israel for a time horizon of 100 years. The study assessed future sea levels, and compared wave setup and runup and beach profile erosion at the coastal cliffs in order to determine the relative sensitivity of the various coastal sectors of the Israeli shore. Finally it investigated measures and means for effective the mitigation of the forecasted beach and cliff erosion. The study was carried out as part of a multi disciplinary work involving various additional disciplines, and was used to establish a national policy document in regards to the coastal cliffs collapse and erosion by natural and anthropogenic induced factors, including global warming induced sea level rise and reduced return period of extreme events. The approach and outcomes are estimated to be useful for coasts of similar conditions elsewhere on the globe.