Severe beach erosion induced by shoreline deformation after a large-scale reclamation project for the Samcheok liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in South Korea

Abstract

Large-scale construction projects, such as port construction and reclamation endeavors, can alter inshore wave dynamics, leading to severe coastal erosion. In South Korea, recent large-scale reclamation projects have resulted in severe sand erosion along nearby coastlines. This study focused on Wolcheon Beach, where complete sand loss had occurred due to robust long-shore sediment transport (LST) induced by a reclamation project for construction of the nearby Samcheok liquefied natural gas terminal in Gangwon Province. A shoreline change model was employed to simulate this phenomenon, and the results were validated using satellite imagery. Model accuracy was assessed by comparing the LST rate vectors indirectly estimated from the changes in the shoreline delineated in the satellite images with those directly derived from the model. Furthermore, a response methodology was proposed using the parabolic bay-shaped equation, which can effectively mitigate coastal erosion by controlling LST by installing a small-scale groin group on the adjacent beach before commencing reclamation or port projects. These findings are expected to contribute significantly to averting catastrophic coastal erosion issues, such as those witnessed at Wolcheon Beach, before large-scale construction in coastal regions is performed.