Shifting Shores: Rising Seas, Retreating Coastlines

Hecht, Jeff

ISBN 10: 0684190877 ISBN 13: 9780684190877

Publisher: Atheneum, 1990

Synopsis

Describes the various factors that change the shape of coastlines including storms, natural erosion, and rising sea levels. Also discusses the future implications of these changes on coastal and low-lying centers of population and what can be done to protect the coastlines and slow the process of change.A close-up look at the forces and factors shaping the coastal environment discusses the impact of such processes as weather, climate changes, global warming trends, and tides on shorelines and examines human efforts to control and preserve coastal environments

About this title

About the Author

Jeff Hecht is Boston correspondent for New Scientist magazine, contributing editor to Laser Focus World, and author of many magazine articles.

Reviews

Grade 6-12 --This easily understood work paints a clear picture of the problems facing those along coasts--ocean or lake--in a fashion that allows even those inland to comprehend. Hecht discusses the natural forces that have shaped the coastlines over the ages, including global changes in climate, weather, and tides. Humankind's reaction to these changes, the attempts to prevent them, and the results of those attempts are also presented in a lucid, interesting style. The future view is profiled with a minimum of fantasy but clearly delineates the possible events and their consequences. The book fills a gap in most collections for this age range admirably. The only real quarrel is with the maps and tables, which are not always clear and sometimes seem more complex than necessary. Photographs, although dark, distinctly show the topics they are illustrating and vividly portray the damage weather and people can do to the coast. From the initial information of the coast to the newest thoughts on the global warming trend, this fascinating look at America's changing coastline is well done. --Kathryn Havris, Mesa Public Library, AZ
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Atheneum
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0684190877
• ISBN 13: 9780684190877
• Binding: Library Binding
• Number of pages: 151