A seawall is a form of coastal defense constructed where the sea, and associated coastal processes, impact directly upon the landforms of the coast. The purpose of a seawall is to protect areas of human habitation, conservation, and leisure activities from the action of tides, waves, or tsunamis. As a seawall is a static feature, it will conflict with the dynamic nature of the coast and impede the exchange of sediment between land and sea.
An example of a modern seawall in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, England
People socializing and walking at the Malecón, Havana
Seawall at Urangan, Queensland
A seawall, made of rocks in Paravur near Kollam city in India.
Coastal management is defence against flooding and erosion, and techniques that stop erosion to claim lands. Protection against rising sea levels in the 21st century is crucial, as sea level rise accelerates due to climate change. Changes in sea level damage beaches and coastal systems are expected to rise at an increasing rate, causing coastal sediments to be disturbed by tidal energy.
Oosterscheldekering sea wall, the Netherlands.
Groyne at Mundesley, Norfolk, UK
Cement beach reinforcements in on the coast of Alexandria, Egypt to prevent further erosion of coastline that is vulnerable to subsidence.
Figure 1. A diagram representing the spatial relationship between many of the commonly used indicators.