Portrait of a Coast

Explores coastal erosion and the forces that shape and change a sandy coastline, warning that the land on the Atlantic coastline is being imperceptibly submerged by a rising sea level. Documents the storms and tides that caused millions of dollars worth of damage to coastal cities in 1978. Suggests that seawalls, barrier islands, and other protective safeguards should be built and put into use immediately. Urges wiser use of coastal resources and the formation of an organized plan to stop the massive land erosion.