Landsat-Based Assessment of Morphological Changes along the Sinai Mediterranean Coast between 1990 and 2020

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess coastal dynamics of the Sinai Mediterranean coastline (SMC) between 1990 and 2020. In this study, remote sensing imagery and geographic information systems-based spatial computing methods were used for coastline change analysis. The study found that the SMC experienced major morphological changes during the period of study. The results show a spatial heterogeneity of coastline change rate over the study period with some periods of rapid change and other periods of stability. The overall analysis during the period of study indicated that the coastline has retreated landward approximately 555 m; the average annual erosion rate was 2.5 m/year. The percentage of the eroded section in the coastline is 60% with the remaining 40% either advancing or remaining stable. Sections of the coastline accreted as much as 542 m. The GIS-based DSAS model application used in this study is unique because it measured spatial variations of coastline dynamics over time using a multiple statistical approach.