Use of remote sensing images to determination of the values shoreline retraction, in periods of El Niño in the South of Brazil

This paper aims to characterize the established erosion process at Hermenegildo beach, southern Brazil, during the period of 1947 to 2007. From data collected in the field with RTK-GPS, aerial photographs, satellite images associated with database of sea surface temperature and El Niño was possible to establish the rates of decline of shoreline for a period of 60 years. The results demonstrate that the Hermenegildo beach is under severe erosion process. In periods subsequent to the occurrence of El Niño and thermal anomalies it can be observed the highest shoreline recession rates and hence the greatest losses of homes near the coastline, due to severe erosion process.