Coastal Processes Research Group (CPRG)

An internationally recognised group of researchers, specialising in field studies and numerical modelling of coastal processes
UAV Flight over Slapton Sands for Photogrammetry
The Coastal Processes Research Group (CPRG) is an internationally recognised group of researchers, specialising in field studies and numerical modelling of coastal processes. We aim to be a leading contributor to the international research community seeking to understand and predict the behaviour of coastal and estuarine systems in support of appropriate management of coastal resources and activities.
 

Research opportunities

  • Beach morphodynamics and nearshore sediment transport
  • Coastal erosion and storm impacts
  • Video monitoring of coastal systems
  • Coastal process modelling
  • Estuarine processes and evolution

Latest news

Eroding dunes 
Study highlights the complex changes and threats facing Cornwall’s sand dunes

New research carried out by the University has developed a means of predicting dune evolution on a regional scale

28 January 2025

Fieldwork in the Maldives

A recent trip by the University of Plymouth Coastal Processes Research Group to the Maldives. The aim was to undertake fieldwork to inform ongoing modelling of future sea-level rise impacts on these islands. This is a short video looking at the work we did and the data collected.

Where did the sand go?

In 2013–14 some of the most energetic series of storms ever hit our coastline. 

Many beaches across the South West of England have still not fully recovered from the erosion. But where did the sand go?

Watch our animation to find out.

Gallery

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Trawling the surf zone of Perranporth for juvenile flatfish and weever fish

Flatfish abundance in SW England, Perranporth, Cornwall

Trawling the surf zone of Perranporth for juvenile flatfish and weever fish.

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Small weever fish with painful back spike exposed

Flatfish abundance in SW England, Perranporth, Cornwall

Small weever fish with painful back spike exposed.

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Monthly beach survey on Perranporth

BLUEcoast project, Perranporth, Cornwall

Monthly beach survey on Perranporth.

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Night-time inspection of instrumentation for storm survey during Storm Lorenzo

BLUEcoast project, Crantock, Cornwall

Night-time inspection of instrumentation for storm survey during Storm Lorenzo.

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Islands in the Maldives are among those that could be affected by a global rise in sea levels. Photo: Mike Hilton

Coral reef island dynamics, Maldives

Aerial view of sandy atoll island. Credit: Mike Hilton

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Device for measuring reef accretion rates on a reef platform

Coral reef island dynamics, Maldives

Device for measuring reef accretion rates on a reef platform.

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The elevation of the Maldivian island of Vadhoo is 1 m above MSL

Coral reef island dynamics, Maldives

The elevation of the Maldivian island of Vadhoo is 1 m above MSL.

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Back of this Maldivian rim island is sandy, but the front is made of gravel

Coral reef island dynamics, Maldives

Back of this Maldivian rim island is sandy, but the front is made of gravel.

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Back of this Maldivian rim island is sandy, but the front is made of gravel

Coral reef island dynamics, Maldives

Back of this Maldivian rim island is sandy, but the front is made of gravel.

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The Coastal Processes Research Group

Coastal Processes Research Group

Researchers survey wave impact on shore platform at Hartland Quay, North Devon.

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University of Plymouth Coastal Processes Research Group Storm Chasers, collecting storm data at Westward Ho!

Storm chasers

CPRG storm chasers, collecting storm data at Westward Ho!

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Single Beam Bathymetric Survey of Perranporth Bay

Single Beam Bathymetric Survey of Perranporth Bay

Members of CPRG conducting a full single beam embayment survey at Perranporth, Cornwall.

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Coastal Processes Research Group gathering data on Perranporth beach using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

CPRG gathering data on Perranporth beach using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

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coastal processes research group XSHORE experiment, truc vert, france

XSHORE experiment, Truc Vert, France

Sunset over the field site highlights the bar position.

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coastal processes research group XSHORE experiment, truc vert, france2

XSHORE experiment, Truc Vert, France

Intertidal rigs in place with instrument array ready to log incoming tide.

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coastal processes research group slapton boreholes

Slapton boreholes

Boreholes installed to measure groundwater level between Slapton Ley and the beach.

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coastal processes research group nupsig project loe bar cornwall

NUPSIG project, Loe Bar, Cornwall

RTK GPS topographic surveys undertaken with ATV during storm conditions.

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coastal processes research group nupsig project loe bar cornwall2

NUPSIG project, Loe Bar, Cornwall

Dr Tim Poate secures data cables for the profiling LiDAR scanner during storm conditions.

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coastal processes research group nupsig project westward ho devon

NUPSIG project, Westward Ho!, Devon

CPRG Rapid Coastal Response Unit in place to measure storm waves.

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coastal processes research group nupsig project loe bar cornwall2

NUPSIG project, Loe Bar, Cornwall

Cameras installed at Loe Bar to measure runup and wave dynamics.

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coastal processes research group nupsig project loe bar cornwall3

NUPSIG project, Loe Bar, Cornwall

Boreholes being installed to measure groundwater across the gravel barrier.

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coastal processes research group nupsig project loe bar cornwall4

NUPSIG project, Loe Bar, Cornwall

Energetic waves breaking across the instrument rig at high tide. Bed level sensors and LiDAR measuring hydrodynamics and morphodynamics.

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coastal processes research group nupsig project loe bar cornwall5

ECORS experiment, Truc Vert, France

Uprush swash being measured under the instrument rig.

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coastal processes research group nupsig project loe bar cornwall6

ECORS experiment, Truc Vert, France

Downrush swash being measured under the instrument rig.

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coastal processes research group nupsig project loe bar cornwall7

BARDEX experiment, Netherlands

Instrument rig is constructed in the Delta Flume for a gravel overwash study.

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coastal processes research group nupsig project loe bar cornwall8

BARDEX experiment, Netherlands

Waves are generated down the Delta Flume to measure runup and gravel response.

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coastal processes research group WASP project hartland quay

WASP project, Hartland Quay

Pressure sensors fixed to the rock platform measure wave transformation.

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Coastal processes research group Wasp project hartland quay 2

WASP project, Hartland Quay

Triangular instrument frame secured in place to measure current speed and direction across the platform.

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Coastal processes research group cliff monitoring, porthleven, cornwall

Cliff monitoring, Porthleven, Cornwall

Storm wave impacts on cliff motion measured with video cameras and seismometers.

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Coastal processes research group dribs project perranporth, cornwall

DRIBS project, Perranporth, Cornwall

In-situ instrument rig carried into position to measure sediment transport in rip channels.

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Coastal processes research group dribs project perranporth, cornwall2

DRIBS project, Perranporth, Cornwall

GPS drifter deployed to track rip-current circulation.

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Drone flight over Slapton Sands for blueCOAST Project

Drone Flight over Slapton Sands for blueCOAST Project photogrammetry of beach profile

Drone flight over Slapton Sands for blueCOAST Project

Usage: Credit: Aaron Barrett
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Coastal Processes Research Group: contact us

School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom

Coastal Processes Research Group people membership