Analysis of Data

Please note all links on this page will take you to the Channel Coast Observatory Web site.
To download reports with images and data such as those shown to the right you will need to register on the CCO site.

Analysis of the data is carried out in a systematic manner across the programme. Techniques are determined by a specialist team, experienced in coastal analysis. There are four main types of analysis report:

Annual Reports
The basis of the survey analysis in the Annual Reports is a comparison of spring interim topographic profile data. Comparison takes place between current spring surveys and those of the previous year and between baselines surveys, carried out in the first year of the programme and current spring surveys.

Results are presented as colour-coded lines superimposed on orthorectified aerial photography, allowing an "at a glance" assessment of where the changes have taken place over the past year and in the longer term. Subsequent sections of the Annual Report contain the supporting profile and Cross Sectional Area graphs and detailed information.

BMP Reports

These reports are produced for sites with a defined Beach Management Plan and provide a detailed assessment of beach behaviour. In particular, these reports aim to determine how the beach is performing compared to its design conditions.

A full BMP Report is produced every three years, with a shorter report in intermediate years covering any changes since the main report.

Coastal Wave Network Reports

The Coastal Wave Network Report contains the annual statistics for all the wave sites, together with details of the highest storms and a "storm calendar", which allows a clear visual assessment of how stormy a given year is compared to all other years of measured data.

Tide Network Reports

The Tide Network Report covers similar statistical analysis to that produced for the National Tide Gauge Network, including the highest water elevations and surges during the year.