Contents: Executive Summary: Coastal and Ocean Hazards, A Technology Deficit, Hazard Mitigation Efforts and Research Needs, General Conclusions and Recommendations; Benefits from Coastal and Ocean Engineering Research: Miami Beach Nourishment Project, Fixed Platforms in the Gulf of Mexico; Natural Hazards: Overview and Recommendations: Winter Storms and Hurricanes, Long-Term Sea Level Rise, Tsunamis, Ice and Other Cold Region Hazards, Other Marine Environment Problems; Research Needs: Hazard Reduction through University Engineering Research, Coastal and Ocean Engineering Education, Social and Economic Studies, Programs Abroad.

Much of the U.S. coastline is rapidly changingâ€"mostly eroding. That fact places increasing pressure on the planners and managers responsible for coastal development and protection, and could have a direct effect on many of the 125 million Americans living within 50 miles of the coast who rely on its resources and beaches for their livelihood or recreation. Although rapid advances have been made in the measurement systems needed to understand and describe the forces and changes at work in the surf-zone environment, their potential for allowing more accurate and reliable planning and engineering responses has not been fully realized. This book assesses coastal data needs, instrumentation, and analyses, and recommends areas in which more information or better instrumentation is needed.

The handbook contains a comprehensive compilation of topics that are at the forefront of many of the technical advances in ocean waves, coastal, and ocean engineering. More than 110 internationally recognized authorities in the field of coastal and ocean engineering have contributed articles in their areas of expertise to this handbook. These international luminaries are from highly respected universities and renowned research and consulting organizations around the world.

After discussions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Geological Survey, and the Office of Naval Research, the National Research Council (NRC) convened a committee under the auspices of the Marine Board to examine present and anticipated national needs in coastal engineering research and education and assess the adequacy and effectiveness of existing institutions in meeting those needs.