InTeGrate Modules and Courses >Coastal Processes, Hazards and Society > Student Materials > Section 2: Introduction to Coastal Zone Hazards: Long and Short-term Processes of Change and Their Impacts on Society > Module 5: Coastal Catastrophes: Storms and Tsunamis > Typhoon Neoguri
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These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
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Initial Publication Date: December 7, 2016

Typhoon Neoguri

Super-typhoon Neoguri was just one of several large scale storm systems to develop in 2014. It was similar in size and characteristics to Hurricane Katrina that was discussed in the previous module. Figure 5.2 (courtesy of Ms. Katona Miller- Shippensburg University alum.), shows the conditions of the storm during its onset. The storm was fierce and led to intensive rain, high waves, and strong coastal currents, which, in addition to a strong storm surge, battered the coastline of Okinawa, Japan. Despite its immense size and intense winds, Neoguri produced significantly less damage and far fewer human losses than Hurricane Katrina. Why? The reality is that Japan sits in a geologic and geographic location that is susceptible to these large scale storms like the Gulf Coast, but which is also prone to tsunamis that have routinely devastated the coastlines of Japan and other Pacific island nations for 1000s of years. The very fact that the coastline is impacted so frequently has led to numerous rules and regulations to engineer the shoreline and coastal buildings to reduce the impact from such powerful coastal catastrophes.

In the Gulf Coast, the main engineering solution in a very different geologic setting has been the use of levees which were built to primarily reduce flooding in a low-lying city that exists primarily below sea level. These levees were engineered to different standards and for different purposes than those in Japan. More on this later in the course. Nevertheless, in Japan, the combination of breakwaters, like that shown in Figure 5.2, concrete seawalls, and block revetment structures on the shoreline (Figure 5.3) are among the engineering solutions utilized in Japan to protect land and property from intensive waves and strong erosive surges on a coastline that has significant topographic relief. Unfortunately, engineering the coastline also comes at a cost, i.e., the loss of the recreational shoreline and beach systems that are often removed or eroded as a consequence of building on the shore.

In this module, we will explore the science of coastal catastrophes in more detail. We will start with Katrina.

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For more information about Typhoon Neoguri visit these websites


These materials are part of a collection of classroom-tested modules and courses developed by InTeGrate. The materials engage students in understanding the earth system as it intertwines with key societal issues. The collection is freely available and ready to be adapted by undergraduate educators across a range of courses including: general education or majors courses in Earth-focused disciplines such as geoscience or environmental science, social science, engineering, and other sciences, as well as courses for interdisciplinary programs.
Explore the Collection »