The coast is the interface between land and sea – and thus a highly dynamic area where changes can even be observed within days.

The seas and coastal areas are increasingly used by humans – and in the meantime pressure by the oceans power on the coastline and thus on human activities is growing: Global rise of sea level and climate change are recent topics in all media.

The geology of coastal areas is the key for the understanding of past, present and future developments: Studies and models on erosion, transport and settlement of sediments, on variations of coastlines and on the stability of cliffs deliver valuable information for the evaluation of human impacts and environmental changes.

Therefore, comprehensive knowledge of coastal geology is a basic contribution to a sustainable and environmentally compatible use of coastal areas, which helps to avoid unexpected financial risks.