Publicacións

@article{bergillos_combined_2022,

title = {A combined approach to cliff characterization: Cliff Stability index},

author = {Rafael J. Bergillos and Cristobal Rodriguez-Delgado and Luis Medina-Rodríguez and Jesús Fernández-Ruíz and Jose M. Rodriguez-Ortiz and Gregorio Iglesias},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025322721002887},

doi = {10.1016/j.margeo.2021.106706},

issn = {0025-3227},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-02-01},

urldate = {2022-02-01},

journal = {Marine Geology},

volume = {444},

pages = {106706},

abstract = {In this work, a combined multidisciplinary method to characterize coastal cliff environments is presented. It combined two complementary approaches – engineering and geomorphological. The first one is represented by the wave power values along the cliff face. For that purpose, the deep-water wave climate is statistically characterized, and high-energy sea states are numerically propagated to the cliff with a state-of-the-art model. The variations in wave power at the cliff face are controlled by the varying cliff orientation and by the irregular morphology, which influences wave propagation through refraction and shoaling processes. Based on wave power, four engineering exposure levels, from low to extreme, are defined and mapped onto the cliff. The geomorphological approach is based on an index developed ad hoc for this work, the Cliff Stability (CS) index, which takes into account the cliff geometry, lithology, structure and degradation state, as well as the hydrological conditions. Based on the CS index, four geomorphological exposure levels are defined and mapped, from low to extreme. The combined approach is shown through the application to a study site in NW Spain. The two perspectives, engineering and geomorphological, are found to yield similar results in some sections of the study area, but not all. It may be inferred that, despite the importance of wave action in shaping the cliff, the additional elements included in the CS index also play a significant role. In practical terms, the significance of these results is that the two approaches, engineering and geomorphological, should be combined to properly characterize coastal cliffs. This combined approach represents a multidisciplinary tool to define and characterize the exposure levels and, thus, prevent damages in cliff environments across the world.},

keywords = {Cliff stability, Coastal geology, Coastal geomorphology, Exposure, Wave power},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{bergillos_coastal_2020,

title = {Coastal cliff exposure and management},

author = {Rafael J. Bergillos and Cristobal Rodriguez-Delgado and Luis Medina-Rodríguez and Gregorio Iglesias},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0964569120302945},

doi = {10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105387},

issn = {0964-5691},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-12-01},

urldate = {2026-08-06},

journal = {Ocean & Coastal Management},

volume = {198},

pages = {105387},

abstract = {Coastal cliffs cover about 75% of the world's coastlines. Many of these cliffs suffer severe erosion problems, which are mainly caused by wave action and lead to important damages. The main objective of this work is to propose and apply a methodology to characterize and map wave exposure levels for the management of cliff coasts. The methodology proposed consists of a number of steps. First, a statistical characterization of the wave climate in deep water is performed. Second, relevant sea states are propagated towards the cliff by means of a numerical model. Then, the results are used to assess the distribution of significant wave heights and wave power along the cliff toe. Finally, four exposure levels are defined based on the wave power values at the cliff, and exposure zones are mapped accordingly along the cliff. This approach is illustrated with a case study – the Catedrales Cliffs and Beach, a tourism hotspot in Galicia (NW Spain) where erosion caused loss of human life. We find that exposure levels are primarily influenced by the nearshore bed morphology, which controls wave refraction, shoaling and breaking, as well as by the geometry and orientation of the cliff, with some parts more exposed than others to the prevailing wave direction. On the islets off the cliff the windward faces have a greater level of exposure, since the leeward faces are protected by the islets themselves and lower water depths. The rocky outcrops that occur at the cliff toe in some sections act as emerged (submerged) breakwaters under low (high) tide conditions, dissipating wave power and thus reducing wave exposure. The methodology proposed in this work enables coastal managers to prevent the personal and material damages derived from cliff erosion by focusing remedial measures where they are most needed.},

keywords = {Cliff, Erosion, Exposure, Management, Mapping, Wave},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}