Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Sea cliff instability hazard assessment for coastal management in Chabahar, Iran

  • Published:
Journal of Coastal Conservation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Hazards from sea cliff instabilities are increasing because of the growing human occupation in coastal areas. Assessment of cliff hazards is very important in order to develop appropriate coastal management plans. In this study, a semi-quantitative heuristic method was developed to assess instability hazard for rocky coasts at Chabahar (Iran) along the northern coastline of the Gulf of Oman. In this method, seven factors affecting cliff instability, including: wave exposure, cliff height, cliff slope, rock resistance, lithology, bathymetry and beach width, were used to calculate an instability hazard index, from which a hazard map was constructed for the study area. Results were validated by statistical analysis of the previous instabilities detected by comparing old and new satellite images. According to the instability hazard class and cliff height, a hazard zone from the top of cliffs was determined within which development is not recommended.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Afarin M, Hamzeh MA, Negarestan H (2015) Sedimentological and geomorphological classification of Chabahar coastal area (Chabahar-Gawater). J Persian Gulf 6:51–66

    Google Scholar 

  • Andriani G, Pellegrini V (2014) Qualitative assessment of the cliff instability susceptibility at a given scale with a new multidirectional method. Int J Geol 8:73–82

    Google Scholar 

  • Arz HW, Lamy F, Pätzold J, Müller PJ, Prins M (2003) Mediterranean moisture source for an early-Holocene humid period in the northern Red Sea. Science 300:118–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Aydin A, Basu A (2005) The Schmidt hammer in rock material characterization. Eng Geol 81(1):1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Barlow J, Gilham J, Ibarra Cofrã I (2017) Kinematic analysis of sea cliff stability using UAV photogrammetry. Int J Remote Sens 38(8–10):2464–2479

    Google Scholar 

  • Benumof BT, Storlazzi CD, Seymour RJ, Griggs GB (2000) The relationship between incident wave energy and seacliff erosion rates: San Diego County, California. J Coast Res 16:1162–1178

    Google Scholar 

  • Berger A (1997) Assessing rapid environmental change using geoindicators. Environ Geol 32:36–44

    Google Scholar 

  • Bieniawski ZT (1989) Engineering rock mass classifications: a complete manual for engineers and geologists in mining, civil, and petroleum engineering. John Wiley & Sons, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Brabb, E.E. (1984). "Innovative approaches to landslide hazard and risk mapping". In: Proceeding 4th international symposium on landslides. Canadian Geotechnical Society, Toronto, pp. 307–323

  • Brown ET (1981) ISRM suggested methods: rock characterization testing and monitoring. Royal School of Mines, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Budetta P (2013) Landslide Hazard assessment of the Cilento rocky coasts (southern Italy). Int J Geol 7:1–8

    Google Scholar 

  • Budetta P, De Luca C (2015) Wedge failure hazard assessment by means of a probabilistic approach for an unstable sea-cliff. Nat Hazards 76(2):1219–1239

    Google Scholar 

  • Budetta P, Santo A, Vivenzio F (2008) Landslide hazard mapping along the coastline of the Cilento region (Italy) by means of a GIS-based parameter rating approach. Geomorphology 94:340–352

    Google Scholar 

  • Bush DM, Richmond BM, Neal WJ (2001) Coastal-zone hazard maps and recommendations: eastern Puerto Rico. Environ Geosci 8:38–60

    Google Scholar 

  • Byrne DE, Sykes LR, Davis DM (1992) Great thrust earthquakes and aseismic slip along the plate boundary of the Makran subduction zone. J Geophys Res-Sol Ea 97:449–478

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, R.W.G. (2013). "Coastal environments: an introduction to the physical, ecological, and cultural systems of coastlines". Elsevier

  • Carter CH, Guy DE (1988) Coastal erosion: processes, timing and magnitudes at the bluff toe. Mar Geol 84:1–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Castedo R, Murphy W, Lawrence J, Paredes C (2012) A new process–response coastal recession model of soft rock cliffs. Geomorphology 177:128–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Center H (2000) "Evaluation of Erosion hazards". Washington, DC pp205

  • Coastal Engineering Research Center (CERC) (1984). "Shore protection manual, 4 edn". US Army crops of engineers, Washangton, DC

  • Cruden D, Varnes D (1996) Landslide types and processes. In: Turner AK, Shuster RL (eds) Landslides: investigation and mitigation, Transportation Research Board special report, vol 247. National Academy Press, Washington, pp 36–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Dai F, Lee C (2001) Terrain-based mapping of landslide susceptibility using a geographical information system: a case study. Can Geotech J 38:911–923

    Google Scholar 

  • De Pippo T, Donadio C, Pennetta M, Petrosino C, Terlizzi F, Valente A (2008) Coastal hazard assessment and mapping in northern Campania, Italy. Geomorphology 97:451–466

    Google Scholar 

  • Del Río L, Gracia FJ (2009) Erosion risk assessment of active coastal cliffs in temperate environments. Geomorphology 112:82–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Dornbusch U, Robinson DA, Moses CA, Williams RB (2008) Temporal and spatial variations of chalk cliff retreat in East Sussex, 1873 to 2001. Mar Geol 249:271–282

    Google Scholar 

  • Deere DU, Miller RP (1966) Engineering classification and index properties for intact rock. Air Force Weapons Lab. Tech. Report, AFWL-TR 65-116, Kirtland Base, New Mexico.

  • Earlie C, Masselink G, Russell P (2018) The role of beach morphology on coastal cliff erosion under extreme waves. Earth Surf Process Landf 43(6):1213–1228

    Google Scholar 

  • Emery K, Kuhn G (1982) Sea cliffs: their processes, profiles, and classification. Geol Soc Am Bull 93:644–654

    Google Scholar 

  • Everts, C.H. (1991). "Seacliff retreat and coarse sediment yields in southern California". In: Coastal sediments,. ASCE, pp. 1586–1698

  • Fall M (2009) A GIS-based mapping of historical coastal cliff recession. B Eng Geol Environ 68:473–482

    Google Scholar 

  • Fall M, Azzam R, Noubactep C (2006) A multi-method approach to study the stability of natural slopes and landslide susceptibility mapping. Eng Geol 82:241–263

    Google Scholar 

  • Franklin J, Dusseault M (1989) Rock engineering. McGraw-Hill, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Gilham J, Barlow J, Moore R (2018) Marine control over negative power law scaling of mass wasting events in chalk sea cliffs with implications for future recession under the UKCP09 medium emission scenario. Earth Surf Process Landf. https://doi.org/10.1002/esp.4379

    Google Scholar 

  • Godt J, Baum R, Savage W, Salciarini D, Schulz W, Harp E (2008) Transient deterministic shallow landslide modeling: requirements for susceptibility and hazard assessments in a GIS framework. Eng Geol 102:214–226

    Google Scholar 

  • González-Díez A, Remondo J, de Terán JRD, Cendrero A (1999) A methodological approach for the analysis of the temporal occurrence and triggering factors of landslides. Geomorphology 30:95–113

    Google Scholar 

  • Goudie AS (2006) The Schmidt hammer in geomorphological research. Prog Phys Geogr 30(6):703–718

    Google Scholar 

  • Griggs G, Trenhaile A (1994) Coastal cliffs and platforms. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Hanley JA, McNeil BJ (1982) The meaning and use of the area under a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Radiology 143(1):29–36

    Google Scholar 

  • Hudson J (1992) Rock engineering systems: theory and practice. Ellis Horwood, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson J (1998) "Morphological and geotechnical parameters of landslides in relation to geology and hydrogeology, landslides". In: Proceedings of the fifth international symposium on landslides, pp 3–35

  • Hackney C, Darby SE, Leyland J (2013) Modelling the response of soft cliffs to climate change: A statistical, process-response model using accumulated excess energy. Geomorphology 187:108-121

    Google Scholar 

  • Jongens R, Gibb J, Alloway B (2007) A new hazard zonation methodology applied to residentially developed sea-cliffs with very low erosion rates, East Coast bays, Auckland, New Zealand. Nat Hazards 40:223–244

    Google Scholar 

  • Kline SW, Adams PN, Limber PW (2014) The unsteady nature of sea cliff retreat due to mechanical abrasion, failure and comminution feedbacks. Geomorphology 219:53–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Komar, P.D., and Gaughan, M.K. (1973). "Airy wave theory and breaker height prediction". In: Coastal Engineering pp. 405–418

  • Komar PD, McDougal W, Marra J, Ruggiero P (1999) The rational analysis of setback distances: applications to the Oregon coast. Shore Beach 67:41–49

    Google Scholar 

  • Kumar AA, Kunte PD (2012) Coastal vulnerability assessment for Chennai, east coast of India using geospatial techniques. Nat Hazards 64(1):853–872

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee EM, Clark AR (2002) Investigation and management of soft rock cliffs. Thomas Telford, London, p 382

    Google Scholar 

  • Marques F (2009) Sea cliff instability hazard prevention and planning: examples of practice in Portugal. J Coast Res 1:856–860

    Google Scholar 

  • Marques F (2018) Regional scale sea cliff hazard assessment at Sintra and Cascais counties, western coast of Portugal. Geosciences 8(3):80

    Google Scholar 

  • Marques FMSF, Matildes R, Redweik P (2011) Statistically based sea cliff instability hazard assessment of Burgau-Lagos coastal section (Algarve, Portugal). J Coastal Res 927-931

  • Marques F, Matildes R, Redweik P (2013) Sea cliff instability susceptibility at regional scale: a statistically based assessment in the southern Algarve, Portugal. Nat Hazard Earth Syst 13:3185

    Google Scholar 

  • Marques F, Queiroz S, Gouveia L, Vasconcelos M, 2017, December. Slope, scarp and sea cliff instability susceptibility mapping for planning regulations in Almada County, Portugal. In IOP conference series: earth and environmental science (Vol. 95, no. 2, p. 022022). IOP publishing

    Google Scholar 

  • Martino S, Mazzanti P (2014) Integrating geomechanical surveys and remote sensing for sea cliff slope stability analysis: the Mt. Pucci case study (Italy). Nat Hazards Earth Syst Sci 14(4):831–848

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathew J, Jha VK, Rawat GS (2009) Landslide susceptibility zonation mapping and its validation in part of Garhwal lesser Himalaya, India, using binary logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve method. Landslides 6(1):17–26

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathew J, Kundu S, Kumar KV, Pant CC (2016) Hydrologically complemented deterministic slope stability analysis in part of Indian lesser Himalaya. Geomatics Nat Hazards Risk 7(5):1557–1576

    Google Scholar 

  • Montes IM, Santalla IR, García MS, Carrió JA, Velázquez SM, Ortiz DG, Crespo TM (2012) Mapping of landslide susceptibility of coastal cliffs: the Mont-Roig del camp case study. Geol Acta 10(4):439–455

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore LJ, Griggs GB (2002) Long-term cliff retreat and erosion hotspots along the central shores of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Mar Geol 181:265–283

    Google Scholar 

  • National Reaserch Center NRC (1990) Managing coastal erosion. National Academies Press, Washington DC, p 182

    Google Scholar 

  • Naylor LA, Stephenson WJ, Trenhaile AS (2010) Rock coast geomorphology: recent advances and future research directions. Geomorphology 114:3–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunes M, Ferreira O, Schaefer M, Clifton J, Baily B, Moura D, Loureiro C (2009) Hazard assessment in rock cliffs at Central Algarve (Portugal): A tool for coastal management. Ocean Coast Manag 52:506–515

    Google Scholar 

  • Page WD, Alt JN, Cluff LS, Plafker G (1979) Evidence for the recurrence of large-magnitude earthquakes along the Makran coast of Iran and Pakistan. Tectonophysics 52:533–547

    Google Scholar 

  • Palmquist R, Bible G (1980) Conceptual modelling of landslide distribution time and space. B Eng Geol Environ 21:178–186

    Google Scholar 

  • PMO (Ports and Maritime Oragnization of Iran) (2009). "Monitoring and modelling study of some coastal parts of Sistan and Baluchestan and Bushehr proviences: development of a wave climate for the Oman Sea coastaline of Iran, executive summery". Prepared by: W.F. Baird & Associates Coastal Engineers ltd. and Jahad Water and Energyresearch Co.

  • Prins M, Postma G, Weltje GJ (2000) Controls on terrigenous sediment supply to the Arabian Sea during the late Quaternary: the Makran continental slope. Mar Geol 169:351–371

    Google Scholar 

  • Queiroz SM, Marques FM (2019) Sea cliff instability susceptibility considering nearby human occupation and predictive capacity assessment. Eng Geol 253:75–93

    Google Scholar 

  • Regard V, Bellier O, Thomas JC, Bourles D, Bonnet S, Abbassi MR, Feghhi K (2005) Cumulative right-lateral fault slip rate across the Zagros-Makran transfer zone: role of the Minab-Zendan fault system in accommodating Arabia-Eurasia convergence in Southeast Iran. Geophys J Int 162:177–203

    Google Scholar 

  • Reyss J, Pirazzoli P, Haghipour A, Hatte C, Fontugne M (1999) Quaternary marine terraces and tectonic uplift rates on the south coast of Iran. In: Stewart IS, Vita-Finzi C (eds) Coastal Tectonics: Geological Society. Special Publications 146, London, pp 225–237

    Google Scholar 

  • Sajinkumar K, Kannan J, Indu G, Muraleedharan C, Rani V (2017) A composite fall-slippage model for cliff recession in the sedimentary coastal cliffs. Geosci Front 8:903–914

    Google Scholar 

  • Snead, R.E. (1970). "Physical geography of the Makran coastal plain of Iran". Clark Univ Worcester Mass

  • Sunamura T (2015) Rocky coast processes: with special reference to the recession of soft rock cliffs. P Jpn Acad Series B 91:481–500

    Google Scholar 

  • Tavoularis N, Koumantakis I, Rozos D, Koukis G (2018) The contribution of landslide susceptibility factors through the use of rock engineering system (RES) to the prognosis of slope failures: an application in Panagopoula and Malakasa landslide areas in Greece. Geotech Geol Eng 36(3):1491–1508

    Google Scholar 

  • Te Chow V (1988) "Applied hydrology". Tata McGraw-Hill Education,

  • Teixeira SB (2006) Slope mass movements on rocky sea-cliffs: a power-law distributed natural hazard on the Barlavento coast, Algarve, Portugal. Cont Shelf Res 26:1077–1091

    Google Scholar 

  • Teixeira SB (2014) Coastal hazards from slope mass movements: analysis and management approach on the Barlavento coast, Algarve, Portugal. Ocean Coast Manag 102:285–293

    Google Scholar 

  • Thom B (2004) Geography, planning and law: a coastal perspective. Aust Geogr 35:3–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Trenhaile A (2000) Modeling the development of wave-cut shore platforms. Mar Geol 166:163–178

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner A, Schuster R (1996) "Landslides: investigation and mitigation: Transportation Research Board". Special report 247, National Research Council, Washington, DC pp.673

  • Trenhaile AS (2002) Modeling the development of marine terraces on tectonically mobile rock coasts. Marine Geology 185 (3-4):341-361

    Google Scholar 

  • Trenhaile AS (2005) Modelling the effect of waves, weathering and beach development on shore platform development. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 30 (5):613-634

    Google Scholar 

  • Trenhaile AS (2011) Predicting the response of hard and soft rock coasts to changes in sea level and wave height. Climatic Change 109 (3-4):599-615

    Google Scholar 

  • Varnes DJ (1984) "Landslide hazard zonation: a review of principles and practice". Natural hazards, 3. UNESCO, Paris , 63pp

  • Viegas, J., Gonçalves, J.P. and Pais, L.A., 2017, October. Rockfall risk assessment along Cliffed coastlines of Algarve, Portugal. In: International congress on engineering and sustainability in the XXI century (pp. 32-46). Springer, Cham

    Google Scholar 

  • Walkden M, Hall J (2005) A predictive mesoscale model of the erosion and profile development of soft rock shores. Coast Eng 52:535–563

    Google Scholar 

  • Young AP, Carilli JE (2019) Global distribution of coastal cliffs. Earth Surf Process Landf 44(6):1309–1316

    Google Scholar 

  • Zêzere JL, de Brum Ferreira A, Rodrigues ML (1999) The role of conditioning and triggering factors in the occurrence of landslides: a case study in the area north of Lisbon (Portugal). Geomorphology 30:133–146

    Google Scholar 

  • Zweig MH, Campbell G (1993) Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) plots: a fundamental evaluation tool in clinical medicine. Clin Chem 39(4):561–577

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The Authors are thankful to the Iranian National Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science (INIOAS) for supporting this work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Iranian Nation Institute for Oceanography and Atmospheric Science, Tehran, Iran

    Hadi Gerivani & Mohammad Afarin

  2. Department of Geography, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Wayne Stephenson

Authors
  1. Hadi Gerivani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wayne Stephenson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Mohammad Afarin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hadi Gerivani.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gerivani, H., Stephenson, W. & Afarin, M. Sea cliff instability hazard assessment for coastal management in Chabahar, Iran. J Coast Conserv 24, 5 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-019-00726-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-019-00726-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation