The shoreline is a rapidly changing interface between the land and the sea, where much of the world's population lives. Coasts are under threat from a variety of natural and anthropogenic impacts, such as climate or sea-level change. This 1995 book assesses how coastlines change, and how they have evolved over the last few thousand years. It introduces concepts in coastal morphodynamics, recognising that coasts develop through co-adjustment of process and form. Particular types of coast, such as deltas, estuaries, reefs, lagoons and polar coasts, are examined in detail with conceptual models developed on the basis of well-studied examples. Coastal Evolution is written for undergraduates who are studying coastal geomorphology, geologists who are mapping coastal sedimentary sequences and environmental scientists, engineers, planners and coastal managers who need to understand the natural processes of change which occur on shorelines.

‘The fact that this volume works very effectively is a tribute to the individual authors and editors … In terms of the intended aims, scope and market, this book hits the mark. I am convinced it will be used widely as a reference for undergraduate courses on coastal environments.’

Andrew J. Plater - Geoscientist

‘… a good overview of the development of concepts and the present state of research … it will be of much use both for the teacher and student of coastal change.’J. Ehlers, Marine Geology‘I strongly recommend this book to all coastal students and researchers…a coherent volume’.

Source: Institute of Australian Geographers.

‘This multi-authored text, the author numbers reflecting the complexity and scale of the subject now, presents an exciting and innovative view of coastal science in the 1990s.’

Source: Journal of Quaternary Science

‘The overall quality of the writing and editing is very good. In fact the whole book is excellent in concept and in execution. It will serve as the latest and the last word on the subject for years to come. Highly recommended for all geologists and other environmental scientists, together with engineers, planners and others involved in any way with coastal processes.’ Choice‘I strongly recommend this book to all coastal students and researchers … a coherent volume … ’.

M. J. Shepherd Source: Institute of Australian Geographers