A geographer studying coastal erosion uses satellite imagery showing that a beach has retreated 3 meters per year from storms and an additional 1.5 meters per storm-induced surge. If there were 8 major surges this year and 4 minor surges, how many total meters did the coastline retreat?

Tue, 05 May 2026 16:25:47 +0000

**A geographer studying coastal erosion uses satellite imagery showing that a beach has retreated 3 meters per year from storms and an additional 1.5 meters per storm-induced surge. If there were 8 major surges this year and 4 minor surges, how many total meters did the coastline retreat?** Coastal communities nationwide are increasingly focused on understanding how climate change accelerates shoreline changes—especially as satellite data reveals something alarming: rising erosion rates driven by powerful storm surges. A geographer studying coastal erosion uses satellite imagery to track how a vulnerable beach is retreating at a steady 3 meters yearly from regular storm activity, plus an extra 1.5 meters for each surge caused by powerful storm systems. With 8 major surges and 4 minor ones recorded this year, accurate calculations like these help researchers quantify risk and inform local planning. The math behind this coastal retreat is straightforward yet impactful: major surges contribute significantly more than regular storm-driven erosion. At 3 meters per year from storms, 8 major surges account for 24 meters of retreat. Meanwhile, 4 minor surges add 6 additional meters. When combined, this creates a clear, measurable pattern of shoreline loss—showing both long-term trends and acute event impacts. **Why This Data Is Rising in Visibility**
Coastal erosion is no longer just a local issue—it’s part of a broader national conversation about climate adaptation and infrastructure resilience. Satellite monitoring and precise geospatial analysis now provide near real-time insights into how coastlines shift in response to extreme weather. As communities face more frequent and intense storms, public interest in understanding satellite-derived erosion metrics has grown. For US residents, this information isn’t just academic—it guides flood preparedness, insurance planning, and community resilience efforts, especially along high-risk shorelines.