1962 AP: Northern Ireland Shoreline Change Rates from the 1800s

Historical shoreline positions for the Northern Ireland coastline, analyzed from Ordnance Survey maps and aerial imagery dating back to the early 1800s. Ulster University processed the data using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) to calculate rate-of-change statistics at 25-meter intervals. The dataset was last updated on March 18, 2026, and is provided by OpenDataNI.

Use Cases

• Calculate long-term shoreline erosion or accretion rates based on Net Shoreline Movement (NSM) and End Point Rate (EPR) statistics.
• Model coastal change dynamics using Linear Regression Rate (LRR) and Weighted Linear Regression Rate (WLR) metrics.
• Identify specific stretches of coastline experiencing significant retreat or growth using spatially displayed rate-of-change data.
• Support coastal zone management and policy decisions with a historical analysis spanning annual to decadal time periods.

Strengths

• Analysis is based on all available historical Ordnance Survey maps and aerial imagery.
• Rate-of-change statistics are calculated at a high spatial resolution of 25-meter intervals.
• Provides multiple statistical measures of change, including NSM, SCE, EPR, LRR, and WLR.
• Temporal coverage extends from the early 1800s, offering a long-term perspective on coastal dynamics.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and dataset size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect geographic bias inherent to the Northern Ireland coastline.

Provenance

Source

OpenDataNI, with analysis by Ulster University.

Collection Method

Historical shoreline analysis based on Ordnance Survey maps and aerial imagery, processed using the ArcGIS Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS).

Time Range

Early 1800s onwards.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-18 11:22:43.155965; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Northern Ireland coastline.