Coastal Erosion Affecting Cultural Heritage in Svalbard. A Case Study in Hiorthhamn (Adventfjorden)—An Abandoned Mining Settlement

Ionut Cristi Nicu,Anne-Cathrine Flyen,Knut Stalsberg,Lena Rubensdotter,Vibeke Vandrup Martens

doi:10.3390/su12062306

Ionut Cristi Nicu, Anne-Cathrine Flyen + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su12062306

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Abstract

Hiorthhamn is an abandoned Norwegian coal mining settlement with a loading dock and a lot of industrial infrastructure left in the coastal zone. In this study, changes in the position of 1.3 km of the Hiorthhamn shoreline, which affect cultural heritage, is described for a time-period spanning 92 years (1927–2019). The shoreline positions were established based on a map (1927), orthophotos (2009) and a topographic survey with differential Global Positioning System (GPS) (summer 2019). Detailed geomorphological and surface sediment mapping was conducted to form a framework for understanding shoreline-landscape interaction. The shoreline was divided into three sectors to calculate the erosion/stability/accretion rates by using the DSAS (Digital Shoreline Analysis System) extension of ArcGIS. The DSAS analysis showed very high erosion in Sector 1, while Sectors 2 and 3 showed moderate accretion and moderate erosion, respectively. Sector 1 is geologically composed of easily erodible sorted beach sediments and protected remains from the mining industry such as wrecks of heavy machines, loading carts, wagons and rusty tracks that are directly exposed to coastal erosion. The all-sector average shoreline erosion rate (EPR parameter) for the 92 years period was −0.21 m/year. The high shoreline erosion rates in Sector 1, together with the high potential damage to cultural heritage, supports the urgent need of continued coastal monitoring and sustainable management of cultural heritage in Hiorthhamn.

Highlights

Coastal areas of seas and oceans are among the most dynamic landforms and are permanently under threat of change from natural processes and anthropogenic pressure
The present study aims to assess and quantify the main changes along an approximately 1.3 km stretch of shoreline located in Hiorthhamn—on the eastern shore of Adventfjorden, Svalbard, where cultural heritage is under threat from coastal erosion
Historical evolution and temporal morphodynamics of shoreline position is of great importance in evaluating the spatial dynamics of the coastal system behaviour and of cultural heritage assets located in coastal areas

Summary

Introduction

Coastal areas of seas and oceans are among the most dynamic landforms and are permanently under threat of change from natural processes and anthropogenic pressure. A significant proportion of the world’s population, at present and throughout history, lives in coastal areas (between 15% and 40%), which are under the direct effects of climatic change-related [1,2] processes such as sea-level rise [3] and changes in the intensity and frequency of storms [4]. Arctic coastal areas can experience erosion rates similar to, or higher than, those in temperate regions due to the added influence of thawing permafrost and extreme temperatures. Arctic coastal areas can experience erosion rates similar to or higher than those in temperate regions due to the added influence of thawing permafrost and extreme temperatures, even though the erosional processes are usually still limited to a few months per year [6]. Svalbard’s coastal area is under high pressure from natural [20] and in some area’s anthropogenic changes [21,22]

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