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SAMC
o
T • Annual report 2012
The aim of our selection of these Arctic coast test sites
is to cover different types of conditions and erosion
mechanisms. Just as importantly, the investigation of
coastal erosion on Svalbard is relevant not only for this
group of islands, but could be considered model experi
mental sites based on the ease of accessibility and
proximity to research infrastructure.
Annual erosion rates have been estimated at several
sites on Svalbard based mainly on reviews of annual
Differential Global Positioning Satellite (DGPS)
measurements and aerial photography. Soil proper
ties have been investigated by installation of onshore
data collectors, including piezometers and thermistor
strings. Core sampling with a rig has been tested in
Vestpynten, close to Longyearbyen, in relation to testing
of equipment and installation of the data collectors,
while sediment sampling by hand have been preferred
at protected sites, such as Fredheim. Undisturbed
frozen core samples were collected at Baydaratskaya
and underwent laboratory testing. The collected data
has been processed for further research.
Coastal Technology
In 2012, Arctic coast erosion rates were measured and erosion mechanisms in-
vestigated at selected sites on Svalbard, including Vestpynten, Fredheim, Dames-
bukta and Hiorthamn. Also two field sites in northwestern Russia, Baydarats-
kaya Bay and Pesyakov Island, were included in the monitoring programme.
Fig. 33. Investigated sites in 2012 in central Spitsbergen, Svalbard: 1) Vestpynten, 2) Hiorthamn, 3) Fredheim, 4) Dames-
bukta and Barryneset, Svea, 5) Kapp Ekholm, 6) Diabasodden, 7) Bohemanflya, 8) Flytangen, and 9) Kapp Laila.