Short term and long term shoreline changes in Kelantan delta

Abstract

Kelantan delta is the one and only coastline that exists with delta area in Malaysia and considered as very dynamic in changes for long time of period. This fact stresses the need for a better understanding of coastal processes, and for regular and detailed scientific studies of coastal behavior, since it may have significant effects on the population, economic activities and resource management. Comparison of the land area of different dates, as interpreted from aerial photograph, Quick Bird image and Topography map, allowed identification of the coastal changes that occurred along the Kelantan Delta sand spit area over the last 40 years. Long-term coastal analysis uses historical data to identify the sectors along the coast where the shoreline position has changed. The erosion or accretion rates at each location can be used to forecast future shoreline positions.