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Glossary of Terms

Storm Surge

A temporary rise in sea level associated with a storm's low barometric pressure and onshore winds.

Coastal Strip

A zone directly adjacent to the waterline, where only coast related activities take place. Usually this is a strip of some 100 m wide. In this strip, coastal defense activities take place. In this strip often there may be restrictions to land use.

Mean Wave Height

The mean of all individual waves in an observation interval of approximately half an hour.

Beach Face

The section of the beach normally exposed to the action of the wave uprush. Also referred to as the foreshore of a beach.

Pier

A structure, ususally of open construction, extending out into the water from the shore, to serve as a landing place, recreational facility, etc., rather than to afford coastal protection or affect the movement of water. A term sometimes improperly applied to jetties.

Coastal Upland

The low-lying area landward of the beach that sometimes contains unconsolidated sediments.

The coastal upland is bounded by the hinterland (the higher-elevation areas dominated by bedrock and steeper slopes).

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