Sargassum

Sargassum Sargassum bed, Sydney Harbour  I get quite excited when I return to snorkelling in Parsley Bay, Sydney Harbour in spring. Yes, I admit, I am not too keen on entering the water in winter months even in balmy Sydney ( I made it to July one year!). So what is...
Caring for our coasts?

Caring for our coasts?

Caring for our coasts? “Shoring up” Gold Coast most iconic beach, Surfers Paradise in 2013 (photo source: Naomi Edwards) Over the past two weeks I have had the opportunity to lecture to students at two great Australian universities, Sydney and UNSW. The lectures have...
MOUTH OF THE RIVER MURRAY

MOUTH OF THE RIVER MURRAY

MOUTH OF THE RIVER MURRAY Our esteemed Vice-President of ACS, Emeritus Professor Nick Harvey, has recently co-authored a paper with Kristine James and Bob Bourman on the flood-tidal delta in the River Murray estuary (Journal of Coastal Research, 2015, 31, 1103-1119)....
Trip to the Southwest Coast of WA

Trip to the Southwest Coast of WA

Trip to the Southwest Coast of WA Last week I had a most enjoyable visit to Perth and the southwest corner of WA. The reason for the trip was an invite to present the annual Joe Gentilli public lecture at the University of Western Australia. Joe was involved in the...
Neogene and Coasts

Neogene and Coasts

Neogene and Coasts How Australia dried out and how our beaches were formed (photo source: australasianscience.com.au) I have been reading this week some literature on the Neogene Period and coastal morphology. Why you may ask? Well for many years this geological...