Examining coastal morphodynamics from the nearshore through to inland dune systems is fundamental in understanding their short- to long-term behaviour. Coastal processes operate across large spatial and temporal scales and therefore comprehending their resulting landforms is complex. Recent advances however, now enable previously isolated coastal disciplines across various zones, to be integrated to help couple coastal processes with landform responses.

At the coast, dunes provide the physical barrier to flooding during high energy storms, while beaches and nearshore areas help dissipate storm impact through a series of dynamic interactions involving sediment transfers and at times rapid morphological changes. Investigation of complex interactions between these three interconnected systems has become essential for understanding coastal behaviour and its management.

This session welcomes contributions from coastal scientists interested in the measurement and modelling of marine (nearshore waves, currents and sediment transport) and terrestrial (e.g. aeolian) processes and responses within the three sub-units over various scales. The session will highlight the latest developments in this part of the planet's geomorphic system and facilitate knowledge exchange between the submerged and sub-aerial coastal zones.

This year the session is Sponsored by the Commission on Coastal Systems (CCS) of the IGU and the IGCP Project 639 'Sea-level change from Minutes to Millennia'.

Solicited speakers in the session this year are:
Dr.Nadia Senechal (Univ. Bordeaux: 'Winter storm sequencing and seasonal recovery of open sandy beaches'.

Dr.Arnaud Hequette (Univ. du Littoral, Dunkerque: 'The role of shoreface morphodynamics on the evolution of a macrotidal coast: the example of northern France'.