The recent succession of storms that struck the Portuguese coast has caused severe erosion episodes, with visible impacts from north to south of the country. Among the most striking cases is Mira Beach, where the sea advanced approximately seven meters in just five days, and the Forte Novo area, in Quarteira, where cumulative shoreline retreat may have reached 20 meters over the past three years.
The work of researchers from the University of Aveiro (UA) has been particularly relevant in the analysis and explanation of these phenomena. Coastal dynamics specialists Paulo Baganha Batista, a researcher at CESAM/DGEO, and Carlos Coelho emphasize that the coastal stretch between Espinho and Figueira da Foz is especially vulnerable to erosion due to sediment deficits associated with the Douro River dams. According to the researchers, the recent storms, with waves reaching 15 meters, have significantly exacerbated this structural fragility.
In the case of Mira Beach, Paulo Baganha Batista describes a “particularly severe” retreat near the Bairro dos Pescadores, highlighting the speed and intensity of the process. The researchers compare the current situation to extreme events recorded during the winters of 2001 and 2014.
UA specialists acknowledge that artificial beach nourishment carried out in recent years has helped mitigate some of the damage, as sediments deposited in the submerged zone may gradually feed the beaches again. However, they warn of a concerning trend: the possibility that beaches may increasingly exhibit narrower sandy strips due to storm impacts and the intensification of wave energy.
The contribution of the University of Aveiro has been central to the monitoring, interpretation, and scientific contextualization of these events, providing technical data and historical perspective that enable a better understanding of the evolution of coastal erosion and the future challenges for the management of the Portuguese coastline.
Full and original news article in: Expresso Newspaper, February 13, 2026.