It’s summertime, and for many of us that means a recreational trip to the beach or coast. Worldwide, billions of people live year-round near a coastline, and these settings can be responsible for everything from buffering storms and preventing sea-level rise to fishing, flourishing tourism, and trade. For all these reasons, the acceleration of coastal erosion is an important topic to understand. A couple years ago, we sat down with Jane Willenbring, a geoscientist who says that by studying what coastlines looked like long ago, we can better understand where they are headed and how to protect them. No matter where you live, we hope you’ll tune in to better understand the forces behind coastal erosion.Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to
[email protected] Reference Links:Stanford Profile: Jane Kathryn WillenbringConnect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / FacebookChapters:(00:00:00) IntroductionRuss Altman introduces guest Jane Willenbring, a professor of Earth systems at Stanford University.(00:01:30) What Causes Coastal ErosionThe natural processes that build up or break down coastal regions.(00:02:58) When Coastlines GrowWhere and how coastal buildup can still occur, especially near rivers.(00:04:11) Measuring Coastal ErosionThe technological and geological measurements used to track change.(00:06:12) Dating Coastal RockUsing cosmic radiation to help measure long-term erosion rates.(00:07:48) Archaeology & Shifting SettlementsHow ancient coastal settlements reflect environmental change.(00:09:03) Tectonics vs. ErosionDifferentiating between sea level rise and tectonic land uplift.(00:10:09) Infrastructure at RiskThe dangers of coastal erosion to critical infrastructure.(00:12:12) Science Meets PolicyWhy long-term erosion timelines complicate policymaking.(00:14:11) Real-World ResponsesExamples of successes and failures due to policy inaction.(00:15:14) Disadvantages of Building BridgesThe unintended effects of building bridges and barriers.(00:16:11) “Unzipping” LandscapesHow rivers and streams carve landscapes from the inside out.(00:17:47) Sea Level Rise & Coastal ChangesThe mechanics of sea level rise and how it increases erosion.(00:19:25) Beaches as Natural DefensesWhy wide beaches are crucial to the protection of coastlines.(00:20:42) Cliff Collapse & BeachesWhat happens when sand is lost due to erosion or human intervention.(00:22:11) The Social Impacts of Coastal ErosionThe effects of coastal erosion on different socioeconomic classes(00:24:11) Public Health Risks of Coastal ErosionThe different health and infrastructure risks posed by unmanaged erosion.(00:26:05) Vegetation, Kelp, & Green SolutionsThe potential for vegetation and kelp to help soften coastal impact.(0028:43) Conclusion
Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook
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