Coupled thermo-morphodynamic model for Arctic permafrost coastlines, combining XBeach hydrodynamics with an enthalpy-based thermal erosion module
Arctic-XBeach couples the XBeach morphodynamic model with an enthalpy-based thermal erosion module to simulate coastal retreat processes in permafrost environments. The model uses an innovative event-driven approach that executes erosion calculations only during storms when thawed sediment is available, improving computational efficiency while maintaining physical realism.
- Coupled approach: Integrates XBeach hydrodynamics with permafrost thaw processes
- Enthalpy-based thermal module: Robust handling of phase change in frozen sediments
- Event-driven methodology: Storm-focused calculations optimize computational performance
- Arctic-specific: Designed for permafrost coastlines experiencing rapid climate change
🚧 In Development - This model is currently under active development. A manuscript describing the model formulation and validation is in preparation for submission to Geoscientific Model Development (GMD).
The model has been developed and tested for Barter Island, Alaska, leveraging well-documented permafrost characteristics and observational datasets for validation.
# Create conda environment with Python and git
conda create -n arctic-xbeach python=3.12 git -y
conda activate arctic-xbeach
# Enable long paths (Windows only, run once)
git config --global core.longpaths true
# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/deltares-research/arctic-xbeach.git
cd arctic-xbeach# Install package in editable mode
pip install -e .
# Install all dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txt
# Install XBeach Python toolbox
pip install git+https://github.com/openearth/xbeach-toolbox.gitXBeach must be installed separately. Download from the official repository: https://download.deltares.nl/xbeach
Installation:
- Download the appropriate version for your system
- Extract to a location of your choice
- Note the path to the executable:
- Update your run configuration (
config.yaml) with this path:xbeach: version: "C:/software/XBeach/xbeach.exe" # Use forward slashes
# From the arctic-xbeach directory
python download_data.pyThis downloads the Barter Island forcing data (~ERA5 and storm datasets) to:
examples/case_studies/barter_island/database/
├── era5.csv # ERA5 reanalysis forcing data
└── storms.csv # Storm/wave conditions
Manual download (if script fails):
Place files in: examples/case_studies/barter_island/database/
python -c "from arctic_xbeach.model import Simulation; print('✓ Arctic-XBeach installed successfully!')"from arctic_xbeach.model import Simulation
# Initialize simulation
sim = Simulation("examples/case_studies/barter_island")
# Run model
from main import main
main(sim)Or from command line:
python main.py examples/case_studies/barter_islandarctic-xbeach/
├── arctic_xbeach/ # Main package
│ ├── model.py # Simulation class
│ ├── bathymetry.py # Grid generation
│ └── miscellaneous.py # Utility functions
├── examples/
│ ├── analytical/ # Validation test cases
│ └── case_studies/
│ └── barter_island/ # Primary case study
│ ├── config.yaml
│ └── database/ # Forcing data (downloaded)
├── main.py # CLI entry point
├── download_data.py # Data download script
├── requirements.txt
└── README.md
If you use Arctic-XBeach in your research, please cite:
Nederhoff, K., de Bruijn, K., Seyfert, C., et al. (in preparation). Arctic-XBeach: A Python-Based Thermo-Morphodynamic Model for Arctic Permafrost Coastal Erosion. Geoscientific Model Development.
Arctic-XBeach is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 - see the LICENSE file for details.
For questions or collaboration inquiries:
- Kees Nederhoff - Deltares USA
- Kevin de Bruijn - Delft University of Technology
- Carola Seyfert - Stichting Deltares Netherlands
This is a Deltares Research project