Decision-Making for Coastal Communities Facing Sea Level Rise: Cheryl Hapke Presents New Approach at GSA Conference

The rate of sea level rise is accelerating. In locations along U.S. coastlines, high-tide flooding is now 300% to 900% more frequent than it was 50 years ago. Communities with coastlines are facing hazards to their beaches, homes, and businesses from powerful storms, inundation, and erosion. Many U.S. states are requiring coastal communities to develop practical and effective adaptation strategies to accommodate future hazards under anticipated sea level rise scenarios.

Integral coastal geologist Cheryl Hapke, Ph.D., presents a new framework for communities to plan and respond to coastal hazards at the Geological Society of America’s meeting in Portland, Oregon, on October 10–13. During her October 12 presentation “Model-Based Coastal Hazard Adaptation Framework,” she describes a multiphased decision framework that allows for potential adaptation strategies to be quantitatively screened, evaluated, and planned in advance based on stakeholder-driven inputs using the best available science. By applying a quantitative decision framework, the consequences and uncertainties of adaptation pathways can be more rigorously evaluated by coastal communities.

Dr. Hapke was also recognized as the outgoing Jahns distinguished lecturer during an awards ceremony on October 12. As a Jahns lecturer, Dr. Hapke presented a series of lectures at academic institutions and at local and regional chapters of the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists and GSA throughout the year.

The video and presentation will be available to conference attendees.

Hapke, C., Revell, D., and Jones, C., Integral Consulting.
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 53, No. 6, 2021