Kosrae's Coast
Reducing coastal hazard risks on Kosrae
kosrae resources
Beach profile data
A beach profile monitoring programme around the the developed sections of the Kosrae coast was initiated by SOPAC in 1995. This consisted of profile locations being set up at 27 locations (see map below).
Beach profile monitoring measures the profile of the beach from a datum position somewhere behind the beach, across the beach, and seaward to the reef flat. Repeated surveys are used to assess both short term fluctations and long-term trends in beach position and the volume of beach sediments. Such surveys are necessary to begin to gain a better understanding of what is causing the changes that occur along the coastline of Kosrae, e.g., identifying whether changes are due to human impacts, short term climate variability or longer term climate change.
In 1998 equipment was purchased for the Development Review Commission, consisting of an engineering level and associated staff and tape measures, and training conducted to enable the Kosrae staff to carry out the beach profile monitoring at 6 monthly intervals. A further four survey locations were also initiated in Walung.
A summary of coastal changes measured by the beach profile monitoring will appear here soon.
Beach Profile survey record
- SOPAC (1-27) - Aug/Dec 1995
- SOPAC (1-16) - Jan 1997
- Jessica Cote & DRC (Malem) - May 1997
- Jessica Cote & DRC (Malem) - Nov 1997
- SOPAC (1-27) - Apr 1998
- Doug Ramsay & DRC (1-27) - Mar 1999
- Doug Ramsay & DRC (1-27) - Nov 1999
- Doug Ramsay & DRC (Walung - 4) - Feb 2000
- Doug Ramsay & DRC (1-27) - May 2000
- DRC (1-27) - Dec 2000
- DRC (1-27) - Nov 2003
Note the benchmarks of the six profiles set up by Jessica Cote at Malem can no longer be found and have not been re-surveyed since November 1997.
In this section:
(C) Doug Ramsay & KIRMA, 2008