Coastal Erosion

Coastal hazard education resources

Thawing permafrost, intensifying storms, rising sea levels, and reductions in shorefast sea ice are combining to wear away large sections of Alaska’s coast. Arctic western Alaska has become known worldwide for the impacts of coastal climate change.

Selected curriculum

erosion
Topic Grades Type Title
Solving a Community Erosion Issue: (unit) MS, HS Lesson Plan, Field Trip, Citizen Science, Protocols/Datasheets, Problem Solving ASG Alaska Seas & Watershed: Coastal Erosion (Problem Based Learning) Project

Vocabulary List

Concept Map Instructions

​Erosion is caused by natural processes; wind, water, and gravity move different types of materials at different rates. Natural factors and human activities, affect the rate of erosion.
MS, HS
Lesson Plan Factors that Affect Erosion Lab
Lesson Plan Stream Table Lab
Lesson Plan Wave Machine Lab
Article, Video Introduction to Concept of Erosion and Drew Point Video
Video Moving Meshik
Article Collapsing Coastlines
Article Chunks of Alaska Coast Fall into the Sea
Human-caused global warming is accelerating coastal and river erosion in Alaska and causing threats to Alaska communities
MS, HS
App Coastal Erosion Mapper: Changes in Shoreline Location in Barrow Area, 1955-2014.
Report, Teacher Background Fourth National Climate Assessment: Alaska
Video Moving Meshik
Video Losing Newtok
Scientists use a variety of methods to measure the rate of coastal erosion along Alaska’s coast.
MS, HS
Technology Coastal Monitoring Story Map
Activity Raising Educational Achievement through Cultural Heritage UP (REACH Up) Curriculum
Students can participate in community-based efforts to measure and monitor the rate of coastal erosion.
MS, HS
Lesson Plan, Field Trip, Citizen Science Protocols/Datasheets Coastal Erosion Monitoring Field Trip
Teacher Background, Citizen Science, Protocols/Datasheets Community-Based Methods for Monitoring Erosion
Students can engage in problem-solving to assist their communities to mitigate (reduce) the effects of erosion on human activities and structures through planning and engineered solutions.
K-2, 3-5, MS, HS Teacher Background Report Understanding and Evaluating Erosion Problems
MS, HS
Video Wave Tank Demonstration: Effect of different types of structures on incoming wave energy
Teacher Background, Article What is a Buffer? How Well Do Engineered Buffers Work in the Arctic?
Presentation Potential Solutions to Arctic Coastal Erosion PowerPoint presentation

Thanks to these education partners, who collaborated to develop curriculum relevant to this coastal hazard: Alaska SeaLife Center, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, UAF Alaska Sea Grant, Prince William Sound Regional Citizen Advisory Council, Prince William Sound Science Center