How Visualizing Seafloor Data Improves Coastal Management Strategies

Abstract

Bathymetry, the measurement of underwater depth, is crucial for informed coastal management. This study highlights the value of bathymetric data in coastal planning, decision-making, and the understanding of dynamic coastal processes. Its insights are essential for the sustainable management of marine environments. Natural coastal hazards, e.g., storm surges, earthquake, coastal landslides, tsunami, sea level rise, erosion, tracking pollutant movement, rip currents, could be evaluated, and zoning plans for such areas can be made with the use of this information. Bathymetry information is also useful for studying sediment transport, coastal change, and man-made impacts on the ocean. Thus, sustainable development and the protection of coastal resources need the use of bathymetry data in coastal management. Our research on bathymetric data visualization extends its applications beyond flooding, benefiting fields including fisheries, infrastructure planning, offshore energy, erosion control, coastal flow slides (coastal landslide), thereby paving the way for sustainable coastal development. This innovative approach contributes to global coastal sustainability efforts, combining engineering solutions with both human and marine conversation-centric perspective for effective decision-making. By integrating environmental and human concerns, this approach empowers informed decision-making, contributing to a future where thriving ecosystems and human progress coexist along our precious coastlines.