Coast KZN

State of the Coast: KZN
State of the Coast: KZN

State of the Coast: KwaZulu-Natal Chapter 1: Introduction & Background Chapter 2: Overarching Drivers Chapter 3: Climate Variability
Chapter 4: Coastal Environment Chapter 5: Estuarine Environment Chapter 6: Marine Environment Chapter 7: Human Environment Chapter 8: Economic Environment
Chapter 9: Governance Environment Chapter 10: Conclusions
The Profile of the KZN Coast
The Profile of the KZN Coast

Ugu Lwethu- Our Coast Defining the Coastal Zone The Physical and Coastal Environment Coastal and Marine Ecosystems
Coastal and Marine Species Migrations The Human Dimension Socio-Economic Uses of the Coast Commercial Resource Uses
Pressures and Threats Management of the Coastal and Marine Environments Understanding our Coast
Coastal access
Coastal access

Access RoutesBoat Launch SitesThe Human DimensionCoastal Access: Stats & Facts
Estuaries
Estuaries

What is an Estuary? Know your Estuaries Estuary Health and Conservation KZN Estuary Observer Programme
Historical Time Series Estuary Mouth Status Sand Mining
Recreation
Recreation

Fish TaggingAccess RoutesBlue Flag Beaches
Coastal risk and vulnerability
Coastal risk and vulnerability

Coastal Risk LinesExtreme EventsCoastal ErosionKZN Coastal Vulnerability IndexPollution
Coastal issues
Coastal issues

PollutionSand MiningCoastal ErosionNurdlesUPL Chemical Spill
Back
09 Mar 2017

Equinox brings tidal surge concerns, but Cyclone Enawo passes us by

Judi Davis (South Coast Herald)

The tidal surge of March 2007 batters Uvongo’s Orange Rocks.

“No unusual storm warnings have been issued.“

Many South Coast homeowners view the March spring tides with some trepidation as they remember the huge tidal surges that caused massive damage to coastal property in March 2007.

Spring tides, when the discrepancy between high and low tides is at its greatest, occur roughly twice a month, at full and new moon. Things become a little more complicated twice a year, around the two equinox periods, when spring tides are a little higher and lower than usual.

Equinox means equal night, referring to the fact that days and nights are almost the same length when this phenomenon occurs as the sun crosses the equator.

Usually its effect on the spring tides is hardly noticeable, but in 2007 there was a particularly close alignment of the sun, moon and earth.
Added to this was a big tropical storm that made landfall about the same time as this mega spring tide occurred – and the results were spectacular. The resulting tidal surges hammered the South African coastline and properties took a fearful battering.

It doesn’t seem that we have anything to worry about this Sunday, when the moon is full and the next spring tide is due to peak. National Sea Rescue Institute always warns people to be extra careful of the surf at spring tide time.

However, spokesman Craig Lambinon said his organisation had not received any warning of particularly dangerous conditions.
It looks like Cyclone Enawo, which hit Madagascar on Tuesday this week, is giving us a miss so hopefully there won’t be any cyclones or tropical storms stirring things up on the South Coast when the full moon rises.

 

Online Article