Coastal Hazards

On-Going Work

Sea level rise will cause an increase in the erosion and inundation of regions around the Jamaican coast. This increases the vulnerability of recreational and tourism areas such as Negril and Hellshire beaches. Vulnerability extends to industrialized, built-up and residential areas. Sea level rise will change the coastal current structure, significant wave direction and height, leading to increased sand erosion, especially near active areas such as river mouths. Modelling the coastal environment allows us to simulate complex sediment transport and floods likely to be caused by increased sea level height from storm surge and tsunami impacts. These results can be used by government officials, residents and business interest vested in these coastal regions.

Horizontal surface velocity vectors and sea level height for Kingston Harbour shown in color contours (flood case)
Horizontal surface velocity vectors and sea level height for Portland Bight
shown in color contours (flood case)