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Types of surveys

Refers to a nearshore-beach profile survey, including the subaerial and submarine beach.

Objective

Assessment of seasonal and annual morphological changes (e.g. storm induced erosion, beach recovery rate), assessment and quantification of cross-shore beach processes and coastline evolution. 

Methodology

A cross-shore topographic profile, surveyed using GNSS-RTK on the subaerial beach and a single-beam echo sounder on the submerged beach, resulting in an integrated topo-hydrographic profile extending from a fixed onshore benchmark to the -15 m isobath (Hydrographic Zero).

Frequency
Semiannual
Activity

Currently there are 162 avaiable products under this type of survey. The first survey was aquired on 14/11/2018, and the most recent was on 08/05/2025.

 

Cross-shore topographic profile of the subaerial beach.

Objective

Assessment of seasonal and annual morphological changes (e.g. storm induced erosion, beach recovery rate), assessment and quantification of cross-shore beach processes and coastline evolution. 

Methodology

A cross-shore topographic profile obtained using GNSS-RTK on the subaerial beach, extending from a fixed onshore point located landward of the high-beach limit to the +1 m contour (Hydrographic Zero).

Frequency
Semiannual
Activity

Currently there are 1664 avaiable products under this type of survey. The first survey was aquired on 11/07/2018, and the most recent was on 03/09/2025.

 

Refers to a full survey of the surface of dunes, subaerial beach and nearshore beach.

Objective

Determination of coastline position variations, quantification of erosion/accretion rates, volumetric change analysis of the subaerial beach, and analysis of the evolution of adjacent dune areas.

Methodology

Topographic coverage of subaerial beaches, adjacent dunes, and coastal structures using airborne LiDAR and photographic sensors, complemented by GNSS-RTK measurements, extending landward up to the +2 m contour (Hydrographic Zero).

Frequency
Annual
Activity

Currently there are 179 avaiable products under this type of survey. The first survey was aquired on 14/04/2018, and the most recent was on 16/05/2025.

 

Refers to the ground surface coverage in sea cliff areas.

Objective

Detection and quantification of unstable areas and cliff-top retreat resulting from mass movements.

Methodology

Aerial coverage of sea cliffs and adjacent upper areas using airborne LiDAR and photographic sensors.

Frequency
Triannual
Activity

Currently there are 276 avaiable products under this type of survey. The first survey was aquired on 14/04/2018, and the most recent was on 21/07/2021.

 

Full surface coverage of dunes, subaerial beaches and nearshore/shoreface.

Objective

Assessment of dune and beach sediment balance / budget, on severe erosion shore sections, artificially nourished areas and tidal bar deltas. 

Methodology

Combination of the topographic survey of the subaerial beach, adjacent dunes, and coastal structures—acquired through airborne LiDAR and photographic sensors—with the bathymetric survey performed using single-beam and multibeam echo sounders, extending seaward to the -10 m isobath (Hydrographic Zero).

Frequency
Annual
Activity

Currently there are 117 avaiable products under this type of survey. The first survey was aquired on 31/08/2018, and the most recent was on 11/07/2025.