Large-Scale Coastal Morphodynamics and Anthromorphodynamics

A Warren Distinguished Lecture with 
Brad Murray

Geomorphology and Coastal Processes
Duke University

Abstract
The talk consists of two parts. In the first part, Murray reviews the wave- and sediment-transport dynamics that shape coastlines over timescales of years to millennia, and how coastline plan-view shapes respond to variations in wave (storm) climate. In the second part, Murray describes the sea-level-rise and storm processes that build and tend to maintain barrier islands on low-slope coastlines. In both cases, Murray addresses how human actions in coastal environments—combating shoreline erosion, and mitigating/recovering from storm impacts—interact with natural processes, and how the couplings between human and natural dynamics steer the evolution of developed coastal environments.

Speaker
Brad Murray, a geomorphologist, studies the dynamics that shape and reshape Earth-surface systems, in arctic, alpine, arid, seabed, and coastal environments. Murray often addresses couplings between physical processes and ecological processes or human dynamics in river, coastal and delta environments. He serves as Director of Graduate Studies for the Division of Earth and Climate Sciences in the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University.