Beach Erosion and Recovery since Hurricane Ivan in 2004 along a Headland-Bay Coast in Treasure Beach, Jamaica

Keywords: Beach erosion, Hurricane Ivan, Jamaica
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

Anthropogenic climate change is causing sea level rise and shoreline changes that threaten the environment and economy of coastal communities in Caribbean Island nations. To assess this risk, this study quantifies shoreline changes at Treasure Beach in St. Elizabeth Parish on the south coast of Jamaica from 2001 to 2021. The effects of storm events on erosion will also be assessed. Over 11 km of shoreline are assessed with about half being sandy pocket beaches ranging from <100 to 700 m in length separated by rocky headlands and beach rock outcrops. Sand beach erosion trends since 2001 are assessed for six sand beaches including Great Bay, Old Wharf, Calabash Bay, Frenchman’s Bay, Billy’s Bay, and Mahoe Bay. Seven years of satellite imagery and field surveys are used to evaluate beach erosion rates at annual to decadal scales. Average shoreline erosion rates ranged from 0.04 to 7 m/yr from 2001 to 2021. Local shoreline changes from 2001 ranged from 50 m seawards (deposition) and 48 m landward (erosion). Both sand deposition and erosion occurred during storm events. Overall, Treasure Beach lost about 22% of its beach area due to the passage of Hurricane Ivan in 2004 which was one of the most damaging storms over the past century. Beach recovery has occurred locally, however from 2005 to 2021, Treasure Beach lost another 5% of its sand beach area. Thus, global sea level rise and other factors have prevented the full recovery of beach area since Ivan.