The Pacific Northwest Coast - Living with the Shores of Oregon and Washington

While the coast of the Pacific Northwest becomes ever more populated and developed, its beaches and cliffs continue to be altered by ocean currents and winter storms. Coastal oceanographer Paul Komar reminds readers of the area's geological and cultural history and the ever-present problem of erosion. He issues an urgent call for changes in shoreline management and attitudes toward development. 41 figures. 20 maps. 112 photos.

List of contents

List of Figures ix

Preface xiv

1. A Northwest Coast Perspective 1

2. Geological Evolution of the Northwest Coast 7

3. The Dynamic Northwest Coast 37

4. The Arrival of Man—Erosion Becomes a Problem 63

5. The Development and Destruction of Bayocean Spit 73

6. Natural Processes of Erosion 93

7. The 1982-1983 El Nino—An Extraordinary Erosion Event 117

8. Sea Cliff Erosion and Landsliding along the Northwest Coast 135

9. The Jump-Off Joe Fiasco 161

10. The Northwest Coast—A Heritage to be Preserved 175

References 185

Index 193

About the author

Paul D. Komar is Professor of Oceanography at Oregon State University. He is the author of Beach Processes and Sedimentation and the editor of Handbook of Coastal Processes and Erosion.

Summary

Serves as a source of information about the coast of the Pacific Northwest, its geological setting, the natural responses of beaches and cliffs to ocean processes, and the problem of erosion. This title examines the lessons taught by ages of geological and cultural history.

Product details

• Authors: Komar, Paul Komar, Paul D Komar, Paul D. Komar, Paul D. Komar
• Publisher: Duke University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 19.02.1998
• EAN: 9780822320203
• ISBN: 978-0-8223-2020-3
• No. of pages: 216
• Weight: 413 g
• Illustrations: 112 b&w photographs, 41 figures, 20 maps, 1 table
• Series: Living with the Shore; Living with the Shore
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Geosciences > Geography; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika, USA, Physische Geographie und Topographie