Coastal Hazard Assessment Report

A Coastal Hazard Assessment Report can give insight into potential coastal flooding and erosion for any coastal property in Nova Scotia. This information can help inform your decisions on buying, building on or making changes to a property. Anyone can request a Coastal Hazard Assessment Report for any property at no cost.

Identifying your property's geology

You will be asked to identify the type of geology along the coast of the property before filling out the request form. To do this, chose one of the following options that best describes your coastline.

If you have more questions about the Coastal Hazard Map or would like some help using it, please contact our Navigator at coastalnavigator@novascotia.ca or 1-888-570-4240.

Harder rock

Harder Rocks, such as granite, slate, and basalt, are generally eroded more slowly.

How to tell if you have Harder Rock: Take a small knife and try to scratch the rock's surface. It is a harder rock if it cannot be easily scratched or broken.

Harder Rock Sample Photos:

A rocky beach with trees and water Description automatically generated, Picture

A close-up of a rocky cliff Description automatically generated, Picture

Softer rock or dense compact sediment

Softer Rock or Dense Compact sediment such as sandstone gypsum and mudstone. Also cobble or boulders beaches are considered softer rock or sediment (option 2).

How to tell if you have Softer Rock or Dense Compact Sediment: Use a small Knife and try to break off a piece of the rock with your knife. If you can break or peel the rock with a bit of effort it is a softer rock or dense compact Sediment.

Softer Rock & Dense Sediment Sample Photos

A close-up of a cliff Description automatically generated, Picture

A rocky beach with water and trees AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Loose sediment and unstable rockfaces

Loose sediment and materials such as sand, pebbles, clay, or sediment bluffs.

How to Tell if Your Property Has Loose Sediment: Take a small spade or shovel and dig into the ground. If the material easily comes apart and can be dug up without much effort, such as breaking it apart with one hand or with ease in two hands, and, in most cases, not needing the support of a tool, it’s loose sediment.

A close-up of a hill Description automatically generated, Picture

I don’t know

If you can't determine the geology of your coastline, please enter your phone number or email address, and a Coastal Navigator will contact you to help assess your geology.