Man-Made Offshore Islands: An Innovative Solution to Coastal Erosion

by Harris B. Stewart, Jr.,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Coastal Zone '85

Abstract:

Existing shore-parallel detached breakwaters have resulted in the accretion of sand along the shoreline in the wave shadow of the structure. Significant prograding of the beach has replaced the earlier erosional retreat. The concept is advanced to develop manmade linear offshore islands at appropriate locations to stop shoreline erosion and provide natural beach replenishment. To avoid down-current erosion, the islands should be constructed up-current from locations where littoral drift of sand is normally lost to the system. The technology for building offshore islands is available, but their actual construction will in large measure be determined by economic, legal, political, and sociological considerations.

Subject Headings: Islands | Erosion | Shoreline protection | Offshore construction | Littoral drift | Sandy soils | Offshore structures

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