Coastal erosion in Argentina: The retreating rates of southern South America

Tall cliffs are characteristic of the Patagonian and Tierra del Fuego coastline. They are receding at rates below 1 m/yr. Gravel-dominated beaches and spits are protecting the foot of these cliffs. At the Buenos Aires coastline, erosion also dominates. Sandy barriers constructed during the Holocene sea-level fluctuation are today under severe erosion, either natural or induced by human interventions. The Eastern Barrier is more threatened to sea level rise while the Southern barrier is located on top of former cliffs. Groyne fields were implemented but led to drift obstructions. Argentine coastal retreat is more extended and intense compared to other retreating rates of Brazil, Uruguay and Chile. •Coastal erosion dominates Argentina either at the cliffy and sandy coasts.•Hard structures diminished the retreating rates in some areas but increase them in other areas.•Erosion is also dominant in certain reaches of Brazil, Chile and Uruguay.