CHANGES IN WAVE IMPACT ON THE FLEMISH COAST DUE TO INCREASED MEAN SEA-LEVEL

A numerical model has been used to study the effect of sea level rise on the wave climate along a stretch of the Belgian coast which lies ad jacent to a linear sand bank system. Results of the model have been in terpreted to permit predictions of total and local wave height and ene rgy variation under the assumption that the banks do not respond quick ly to rises in mean sea level. Results show that substantial variation s in wave energy change occur along the coast under a uniform mean sea level rise. Average wave energy impacting the coast is predicted to i ncrease by the order of 10% by 2130 under the wave conditions tested a nd the sea level rise scenario used.