Geomorphological Identification of Artificial Coasts: The Case of Diliskelesi (Kocaeli, Turkey)

Abstract

Problems exist regarding not just the geomorphological definition of what constitutes an artificial coast but also the technical approach used in resolving legal issues with such coasts. The aim of this study was to construct a geomorphological description of what an artificial coast is and to express the geomorphological point of view for solving legal problems arising from the ownership of areas reclaimed by filling in part of the sea. Firstly, natural coasts and their constituent parts and boundaries are described from a geomorphological perspective. The coast of Diliskelesi and its vicinity was selected as the sample site. The research utilised ArcMap 10.2 software, aerial photos from 1962 and 1976, current Google Earth images, bathymetry and drilling data, a 1972 1:25000 scale topographical map, and old photographs of the location studied. Geomorphologically, a coast is a landform with a surface of earth under the influence of current geomorphological processes. The definition of a coast, parts of a coast and its boundaries are based on indicative evidence of marine effects. To find a solution to litigation issues on artificial coast ownership, the horizontal and vertical boundaries of the area of the artificial coast need to be determined, as well as the borders of the old natural coast.