Lidar Coastal Digital Models Show Stable Beaches
Lidar Coastal Digital Models Show Stable Beaches
Despite public fears of widespread coastal retreat, the average width of California’s beaches has remained remarkably stable over the last four decades. Far from disappearing uniformly, a new study from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography confirms that while change is constant, the wins and losses largely balance out statewide. This resilience has defied conventional understandings and offers a new perspective for coastal managers focused on defense and ecosystem preservation. They have found that the average beach width across California has held surprisingly stable since 1985. Far from a state of decline, this finding proves that natural coastal resilience is stronger than anticipated.
For the technical community, this success story is all about the data, which combines decades of satellite observation with high-resolution ground truth.
To capture the shoreline’s dynamic nature and produce accurate Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), scientists deployed a variety of cutting-edge tools. Local monitoring utilizes truck, ATV, and jetski-mounted lidar systems, collecting high-resolution 3D point clouds of beach elevation monthly. This ground-truthing data, combined with long-term satellite imagery for statewide analysis, allows for precise DEM differencing to quantify the constant reshuffling of sand.
This multi-platform approach provides coastal managers with the definitive, time-series data needed for critical resource allocation decisions. The integration of lidar surveys and satellite mapping is essential for understanding the localized cycles of erosion and recovery, providing an advantage in planning for future coastal challenges like sea-level rise.
While the study has been able to provide exciting new perspectives on the state of the environment, it also provides a baseline for future research and workflows for continuing this type of data collection in a consistent manner into the future. It will be vital looking into the future for protecting the recreation and economy that these areas provide. There is also incentive to better understand all that we can about the changes and status of the beaches as they act as a natural buffer against flooding. The more information we have the more the management of these vital areas can remain robust and resilient to changes.
Read More: https://phys.org/news/2025-11-california-beaches-steady-gaining-width.html
Written by Adam Clark. Adam has spent the past 13 years exploring the world from above by using drones, satellites, and mapping tools to better understand our landscapes. Connect with him on LinkedIn: Adam Clark
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