Climate change induced vulnerability analysis of the Saudi coast: A multi-parametric remote sensing approach

With the rising global temperatures and abruptness in rainfall patterns, there is an increase in the melting rate of the polar ice caps and glaciers. The rapid melting of the polar ice caps and glaciers is leading to a rise in global levels. The global sea-level rise threatens many coastal towns and ports worldwide, and the issue needs detailed vulnerability analysis using modern technology. A major portion of the Eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula lies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). It serves as a major trading outpost for most marine trade involving India and China. There is a need to analyze coastal vulnerability using a multi-parametric approach integrating field and satellite-collected remote sensing data parameters. This study utilizes Landsat imageries for the estimation of shoreline change rate, GEBCO bathymetry data, Shuttle RADAR Topography Mission (SRTM) for slope and elevation parameter estimations, ERA5 data for significant wave height, Global tide FES for Tidal height, geomorphology data from different literature available and world pop data for Population density information for the calculation of a novel 8-parameter Coastal Vulnerability Index (CVI) that would act as an indicator for the vulnerability and risk assessment of the Saudi coast and port assets. From observing the CVI values from 20.3% to 31.11%, it is inferred that 13.67% of the Saudi coast comes under the highly vulnerable category with ports such as Dammam and Ras Tanura.