2/27/08

What is a Sea Wall?

A sea wall is a man-made form of embankment along a coastal area meant to shield the land from the effects of large waves. These are usually built in areas in which there is a chance that local infrastructure, economy, or society could be damaged by rising sea levels or erosion.
They are built from a variety of materials, all of which must be proven to withstand pressure from both ocean waves, and settling land, since they serve as a barrier between these two opposing forces. To be most effective, a sea wall must be situated so that the land and surrounding infrastructure is raised above sea level, to account for large waves in the event of storms or strong currents.