Detached Structures Database

Here, the Global Detached Structures Database (GDSD) is presented. This database compiles 373 detached structures from 10 different countries, with comprehensive coverage of natural and human-made (emerged, low-crested and submerged) types. High-resolution orthophotographs, satellite imagery and multi-date digital elevation models underpin extraction of structural, morphological and hydrodynamical variables. Literature-reported values supplement remotely sensed data to ensure completeness. Created explicitly for machine-learning applications, this dataset supports the development and training of predictive models designed to surpass the capabilities of existing empirical approaches, enabling more accurate classification of detached structures and projection of their morphodynamical impacts on sandy coasts within diverse geographic settings. The following table and images summerizes the variables and parameters considered. Variable Description id Unique identifier for each beach case. country The country where the beach is located. loc_id A unique local identifier for the beach. beach_name The name of the beach. lat Latitude of the beach. lon Longitude of the beach. elev_type Indicates the type of structure: Emerged (E), Low-Crested (LC), and Submerged (S). orig_type Indicates the type of origin: man-made (BW), Natural (Reef) or Natural (Island). is_natural Boolean indicating if the structure is natural (1 for natural reefs or islands, 0 for man-made breakwaters). is_tombolo Boolean indicating the beach response: 1 if a tombolo is formed, 0 if a salient is formed. D Stretch of the original shoreline affected by the structure (shadow zone), in meters. B Structure/Breakwater total length, in meters. S Distance between the structure and the original shoreline, in meters. Y Length/Size of the beach response (tombolo or salient), in meters. X Distance between the structure and the apex of the spit (X = S-Y), in meters. h_struct Structural depth at its base, in meters. Hs_50 Median of anual (Hs₅₀) significant wave heights, in meters. Tp (Hs_50) Characteristic period (Tm (Hs₅₀)) value associated with (Hs₅₀), in seconds. EMWD Energy‑weighted mean wave direction, in degrees. L Characteristic wavelength, in meters.