Application of Geo-Processing Model for a Quantitative Assessment of Coastal Exposure and Sensitivity to Sea Level Rise in the Sultanate of Oman
ABSTRACT
The Sultanate of Oman has a long coastline extending for about 3165 km including a number of bays and islands. Oman’s coastline borders the Arabian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Most of this coastline is soft and low laying shore subject to the dynamics of sediment transport and the landward retreat of the shoreline, caused by anthropogenic factors and sea level rise associated with climate change. This paper aims to assess the vulnerability of the entire Omani coastal zone to the expected sea level rise and storm surge. Methodology is based on applying Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) to identify clusters of high vulnerability areas according to their sensitivity and dynamic nature and increased risk resulted from seal level rise, erosion and extreme weather events. The coastal line of the governorates of Al Batinah, Muscat and Al-Wusta has scored highly due to possessing similar physical attributes. Based on that assessment a coastal vulnerability database utilizing GIS was created to help stakeholders involved in the coastal management to make better decisions.
The Sultanate of Oman has a long coastline extending for about 3165 km including a number of bays and islands. Oman’s coastline borders the Arabian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Most of this coastline is soft and low laying shore subject to the dynamics of sediment transport and the landward retreat of the shoreline, caused by anthropogenic factors and sea level rise associated with climate change. This paper aims to assess the vulnerability of the entire Omani coastal zone to the expected sea level rise and storm surge. Methodology is based on applying Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) to identify clusters of high vulnerability areas according to their sensitivity and dynamic nature and increased risk resulted from seal level rise, erosion and extreme weather events. The coastal line of the governorates of Al Batinah, Muscat and Al-Wusta has scored highly due to possessing similar physical attributes. Based on that assessment a coastal vulnerability database utilizing GIS was created to help stakeholders involved in the coastal management to make better decisions.
Cite this paper
Al-Hatrushi, S. , Ramadan, E. and Charabi, Y. (2015) Application of Geo-Processing Model for a Quantitative Assessment of Coastal Exposure and Sensitivity to Sea Level Rise in the Sultanate of Oman. American Journal of Climate Change, 4, 379-384. doi: 10.4236/ajcc.2015.44030.
Al-Hatrushi, S. , Ramadan, E. and Charabi, Y. (2015) Application of Geo-Processing Model for a Quantitative Assessment of Coastal Exposure and Sensitivity to Sea Level Rise in the Sultanate of Oman. American Journal of Climate Change, 4, 379-384. doi: 10.4236/ajcc.2015.44030.
References
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature01089 [2] Warrick, R.A., Provost, C.L., Meier, M.F., Oerlemans, J. and Woodworth, P.L. (1996) Changes in Sea Level. In: Climate Change 1995: The Science of Climate Change, 359-405. [3] Thieler, E.R. and Hammar-Klose, E.S. (1999) National Assessment of Coastal Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise, U.S. Atlantic Coast. US Geological Survey, Open-File Report, 99-593. [4] Stive, M.J.F., Roelvink, J.A. and De Vriend, H.J. (1990) Large-Scale Coastal Erosion Concept. 22nd Coastal Engineering Conference, New York, 1962-1974. [5] Dobbin, J. Associates Inc. (1992) Coastal Erosion in Oman. Report for the Ministry of Regional Municipalities & Environment, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. [6] Badenhorst, P. (1995) Erosion along the Batinah Coastline. CSIR/GPS Report, Spp. [7] Hayes, M.O. and Baird, W.F. (1993) Shoreline Erosional/Depositional Patterns in Oman. Proceedings of Coastal Zone 93, Volume on Coastal Engineering, New Orleans, 144-158. [8] Al-Hatrushi, S.M., Kwarteng, A.Y., Sana, A., Al-Buloushi, A.S., MacLaclan, A. and Hamed, K. (2014) Coastal Erosion in Al Batinah, Sultanate of Oman. Academic Publication Board, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, 261. [9] Gornitz, V. (1995) Sea-Level Rise: A Review of Recent, Past and Near-Future Trends. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 20, 7-20.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.3290200103 [10] Al-Hatrushi, S.M. and Al-Buloshi, A.S. (2009) Coastal Erosion and Its Impact on Society on the Batinah Coast, Sultanate of Oman. Geographische Rundschau International Edition, 5, 12-17. [11] Atkins (2002) Shoreline Evolution Report. Sohar Port Project, Batinah Coast Oman. Final Report for the Ministry of Regional Municipalities & Environment, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.
[1] Lambeck, K., Esat, T.M. and Potter, E.K. (2002) Links between Climate and Sea Levels for the Past Three Million Years. Nature, 419, 199-206.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature01089 [2] Warrick, R.A., Provost, C.L., Meier, M.F., Oerlemans, J. and Woodworth, P.L. (1996) Changes in Sea Level. In: Climate Change 1995: The Science of Climate Change, 359-405. [3] Thieler, E.R. and Hammar-Klose, E.S. (1999) National Assessment of Coastal Vulnerability to Sea-Level Rise, U.S. Atlantic Coast. US Geological Survey, Open-File Report, 99-593. [4] Stive, M.J.F., Roelvink, J.A. and De Vriend, H.J. (1990) Large-Scale Coastal Erosion Concept. 22nd Coastal Engineering Conference, New York, 1962-1974. [5] Dobbin, J. Associates Inc. (1992) Coastal Erosion in Oman. Report for the Ministry of Regional Municipalities & Environment, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. [6] Badenhorst, P. (1995) Erosion along the Batinah Coastline. CSIR/GPS Report, Spp. [7] Hayes, M.O. and Baird, W.F. (1993) Shoreline Erosional/Depositional Patterns in Oman. Proceedings of Coastal Zone 93, Volume on Coastal Engineering, New Orleans, 144-158. [8] Al-Hatrushi, S.M., Kwarteng, A.Y., Sana, A., Al-Buloushi, A.S., MacLaclan, A. and Hamed, K. (2014) Coastal Erosion in Al Batinah, Sultanate of Oman. Academic Publication Board, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, 261. [9] Gornitz, V. (1995) Sea-Level Rise: A Review of Recent, Past and Near-Future Trends. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 20, 7-20.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/esp.3290200103 [10] Al-Hatrushi, S.M. and Al-Buloshi, A.S. (2009) Coastal Erosion and Its Impact on Society on the Batinah Coast, Sultanate of Oman. Geographische Rundschau International Edition, 5, 12-17. [11] Atkins (2002) Shoreline Evolution Report. Sohar Port Project, Batinah Coast Oman. Final Report for the Ministry of Regional Municipalities & Environment, Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.