Haiyang Kaifa yu guanli (Jan 2022)
Study on the Impact of Super Heavy Rainfall on the Beach of Xiamen Island
Abstract
On May 7, 2018, Xiamen Island was hit by extraordinary rainstorm (once in more than 100 years), which had a serious impact on the beaches in the southeast of the island. In this study, RTK GPS, leather ruler, ruler, drone and other equipment were used to investigate and estimate the degree of damage. A total of 10 shore sections including 22 beaches were washed out along the 10.78 kilometers beach in the southeast of Xiamen Island. The total length of the damaged shore line was 6.1 kilometers, accounting for 57% of the investigated beach. A total of 28 gullies were found and the damaged area was estimated to be 20, 286 m2. This extraordinary rainstorm was estimated to result in more than 40, 000 m3 sand being carried away. The damage could be due to the pavement of impermeable surface along the coastal zone which formed strong surface runoff on the sloping terrain when the extraordinary rainstorm occurred. The current was strong enough to erode the sand and stone steps and lawn, and even form gully. Based on the degree of damage and damage cause of individual beach, several remediation and restoration plans were suggested to recovery the beach. This study can provide some references for the future beach maintenance.
