Gösta Hoffmann, Klaus Reicherter, Reconstructing Anthropocene extreme
flood events by using litter deposits, Global and Planetary Change,
Volume 122, November 2014, Pages 23-28, ISSN 0921-8181,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2014.07.012.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921818114001453)
Abstract: Coastal areas are densely populated and therefore vulnerable
to the impact of flooding events induced by tsunami waves or storm
surges. The flood risk has increased due to global climate change and an
accelerated sea-level rise as observed during the most recent geological
times (the Anthropocene). At the same time a concentration of
settlements along the world's coastlines is observed. Therefore,
knowledge of maximum flooding levels during high-energy events is
essential to improve the assessment of risk. We utilise wrack lines
composed of litter as in situ physical marks made up of durable, solid
matter of various compositions to delineate the maximum flooding level.
These deposits may enclose information on production dates, used to
precisely reconstruct the timing of the flooding. This approach allows
an ultra-high resolution dating. We demonstrate the application of this
efficient, fast and cheap method for the coastline of Oman bordering the
Arabian Sea (Northern Indian Ocean). The area was recently affected by
devastating tropical cyclones as well as tsunamis.
Keywords: tropical cyclone; tsunami; inundation modelling; risk
assessment; coastal vulnerability; technofossil; ultra-high resolution
dating