A City Without a Shore: Rem Koolhaas, Dalieh and the Paving of Beirut’s Coast
A development frenzy has wiped out the natural coastline of Lebanon, replacing it with concreted marinas and upscale resorts that are off-limits to the public. Now developers have their eye on the last bit of Beirut waterfront
East Antarctica Melting Could be Explained by 2 Oceanic Gateways
Researchers have discovered two seafloor gateways that could allow warm ocean water to reach the base of Totten Glacier, East Antarctica’s largest and most rapidly thinning glacier. The discovery probably explains the glacier’s extreme thinning and raises concerns about how it will affect sea level rise.
Downgraded Cyclone Pam Still Fairly Nasty, New Zealand
Despite being downgraded, ex-tropical Cyclone Pam continues its southward track, bringing high winds, and rising sea and river levels.
Coastal Mangrove Squeeze in the Mekong Delta
The role of mangrove forests in providing coastal zone stability and protection against flooding is increasingly recognized. The specific root, stem, and canopy system of mangroves is highly efficient in attenuating waves and currents. The sheltered environment created by a healthy mangrove forest offers great sedimentation potential.
Starving Sea Lion Pups Stranding on California Coast
More than 1,100 starving and sickly sea lion pups have washed up along California’s coastline this winter. Rescue centers are working round the clock to try and rehabilitate hundreds of them to release them back into the wild.
Cyclone Pam Prompts Action for Vanuatu at Sendai Conference
Cyclone Pam has not only caused unprecedented damages to the Pacific island of Vanuatu but also lent urgency to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s plea that disaster risk reduction is in everybody’s interest.
Fears for Future of Ngapali Beach as Authorities Permit Sand Excavation; Myanmar
Hoteliers at Ngapali in southern Rakhine State have warned that beaches in the area could be irrevocably damaged unless the authorities stop allowing sand to be taken for construction projects. Local authorities have formally allowed construction firms to take sand from three beaches in apparent violation of the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism’s Directives for Coastal Beach Areas.
CoastLine: Are Terminal Groins Key to the Expensive Problem of Shoreline Management?
Terminal groins are hardened structures designed to control the movement of sand and (attempt to) slow erosion on beaches.
Egypt Unveils Plan to Build New Capital City East of Cairo
Egyptian leaders uncovered plans for a new capital city east of Cairo to ease congestion and overpopulation in the next 40 years. The exact location has yet to be determined, but developers and city leaders said it will be between the Suez and the Ain Sokhna roads and close to the Red Sea.