All images are AI generated
As you set foot on the sandy shores during your summer retreat, become a beach scientist to monitor the evolving coastal landscapes, contributing to valuable environmental observations.
Become a Beach Scientist and Monitor Changing Coastlines
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When you head to the beach this summer, you might notice that the coast looks a little different. Thanks to the changing weather patterns caused by La Niña and El Niño, our beaches have been going through some major changes. Some beaches have lost sand, while others have grown wider. In the past, these changes went unnoticed, but now we have a way to track them.
Introducing CoastSnap
CoastSnap is a project that collects data on coastal changes using photos taken on smartphones. It’s as easy as snapping a picture and uploading it using the QR code at the designated camera cradle. These camera cradles are strategically placed at beach viewpoints to capture the same angle and position of the coast over time. This allows us to see how the beach is changing.
How It Works
The photos taken by beachgoers are not only a visual record, but they are also transformed into miniature satellite images using sophisticated algorithms. This process, called photogrammetry, rearranges the pixels in the image to create an aerial view of the beach. This aerial view makes it easy to measure beach change and account for the effects of tides throughout the day.
A Global Effort
CoastSnap started on the Northern Beaches of Sydney in 2017, but now it has expanded to over 350 stations in 31 countries across five continents. It’s the largest coordinated network of coastal monitoring in the world, and all the data is collected by the community. From Ghana to Canada to Australia, CoastSnap is being used to understand the impacts of weather events and track long-term changes to the coast.
Why It Matters
Data on coastal change is crucial for managing coastlines in the face of rising sea levels, shifting storm tracks, and overdevelopment. By collecting and analyzing this data, coastal researchers can predict what the coastline will be like in the coming decades and plan accordingly. This smart coastal planning will help protect our beaches and ensure that future generations can enjoy them just like we do today.
Get Involved
So, as you head out to the beach this summer, keep an eye out for your nearest CoastSnap station. Becoming a beach scientist and helping monitor the coastline is as easy as taking a picture. Let’s all do our part to protect and preserve our beautiful beaches.
FAQ’s
1. What is CoastSnap?
CoastSnap is a project that collects data on coastal changes using photos taken on smartphones.
2. How does CoastSnap work?
The photos taken by beachgoers are transformed into miniature satellite images using sophisticated algorithms. This allows us to measure beach change and account for the effects of tides throughout the day.
3. Where is CoastSnap available?
CoastSnap started on the Northern Beaches of Sydney in 2017 and has expanded to over 350 stations in 31 countries across five continents.
4. Why is coastal change data important?
Coastal change data is crucial for managing coastlines in the face of rising sea levels, shifting storm tracks, and overdevelopment. It helps predict future coastline conditions and plan accordingly.
5. How can I get involved with CoastSnap?
Simply keep an eye out for your nearest CoastSnap station at the beach and start taking pictures. Becoming a beach scientist and helping monitor the coastline is as easy as that.
Links to additional Resources:
Coastal Observer CoastWatch Beachapedia – Surfrider Foundation.Related Wikipedia Articles
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Coastal erosion
Coastal erosion is the loss or displacement of land, or the long-term removal of sediment and rocks along the coastline due to the action of waves, currents, tides, wind-driven water, waterborne ice, or other impacts of storms. The landward retreat of the shoreline can be measured and described over a...
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Photogrammetry
Photogrammetry is the science and technology of obtaining reliable information about physical objects and the environment through the process of recording, measuring and interpreting photographic images and patterns of electromagnetic radiant imagery and other phenomena. While the invention of the method is attributed to Aimé Laussedat, the term "photogrammetry" was...
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