Abstract
The skills of the Normalized Scalar Product (NSP) strategy, commonly used to estimate the wave field, as well as bathymetry and sea-surface current, from X-band radar images, are investigated with the aim to better understand coastal inundation during extreme events. Numerical simulations performed using a Nonlinear Shallow-Water Equations (NSWE) solver are run over a real-world barred beach (baseline tests). Both bathymetry and wave fields, induced by reproducing specific storm conditions, are estimated in the offshore portion of the domain exploiting the capabilities of the NSP approach. Such estimates are then used as input conditions for additional NSWE simulations aimed at propagating waves up to the coast (flood simulations). Two different wave spectra, which mimic the actual storm conditions occurring along the coast of Senigallia (Adriatic Sea, central Italy), have been simulated. The beach inundations obtained from baseline and flood tests related to both storm conditions are compared. The results confirm that good predictions can be obtained using the combined NSP–NSWE approach. Such findings demonstrate that for practical purposes, the combined use of an X-band radar and NSWE simulations provides suitable beach-inundation predictions and may represent a useful tool for public authorities dealing with the coastal environment, e.g., for hazard mapping or warning purposes.
Highlights
The nearshore area hosts many human activities and interests, which have become increasingly important in recent years
The present paper investigates the potentialities of the combination of the Normalized Scalar Product (NSP) approach and shallow-water simulations in properly predicting the beach inundation
An example of both synthetic sea-wave image obtained by means of the Nonlinear Shallow-Water Equations (NSWE) solver (Figure 4a) and amplitude of the corresponding radar image (Figure 4b) is illustrated at the same time instant (t = 128 s)
Summary
The nearshore area hosts many human activities and interests, which have become increasingly important in recent years. An Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) approach, which spans over the main aspects of the coastal region (from prediction to protection, from engineering to ecosystems, from tourism to sustainability) seems essential to mitigate the mentioned negative impacts. An important protocol has been signed in the framework of the Barcelona Convention, which promotes an integrated approach of the coastal zone management in the Mediterranean area [9]. Such protocol focuses on the spatial development of coastal zones, and the need for assessing and measuring pressures from human activities. Studies have been undertaken based on the proposed approach and applications have been attempted, e.g., [10,11]
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