1. Introduction and Context. 1.1 Scope and Purpose. 1.2 Linkages and Overlapping Topics of the NCA. 1.3 Reliance on the Coastal Zone -- 2. Physical Climate Forces. 2.1 Overview of Climate and Sea-level-rise Effects on Coasts. 2.2 Sea-level Rise and Future Scenarios. 2.3 Extreme Events and Future Scenarios. 2.4 Changes in Wave Regimes and Circulation Patterns. 2.5 Relative Vulnerability of Coasts. 2.6 Changes in Precipitation Patterns. 2.7 Temperature Change Impacts with a Focus on Alaska -- 3. Vulnerability and Impacts on Natural Resources. 3.1 Multiple Stressors Interact at the Coast. 3.2 Biota, Habitats, and Coastal Landforms that Are Impacted by Complex Stressor Interactions and Subject to Nonlinear Changes and Tipping Points. 3.3 Conclusions -- 4. Vulnerability and Impacts on Human Development. 4.1 Overview of Impacts on Human Development and Societal Vulnerability. 4.2 Relative Vulnerability, Exposure, and Human Losses. 4.3 Socio-economic Impacts and Implications. 4.4 Human Health Impacts and Implications. 4.5 Implications for Coastal Military Installations and Readiness -- 5. Adaptation and Mitigation. 5.1 Adaptation Planning in the Coastal Zone. 5.2 Coastal Resource Management and Restoration in the Context of Climate Change. 5.3 Tools and Resources. 5.4 Coastal Mitigation Opportunities -- 6. Information Gaps and Science Needed to Support Sustainable Coasts. 6.1 Science Research Needs to Support Sustainable Coastal Management. Developed to inform the 2013 National Climate Assessment, and a landmark study in terms of its breadth and depth of coverage and conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Global Change Research Program, Coastal Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerabilities examines the known effects and relationships of climate change variables on the coasts of the U.S. This state of the art assessment comes from a broad range of experts in academia, private industry, state and local governments, NGOs, professional societies, and impacted communities. It includes case studies on topics such as adaptive capacity; climate change effects on. It highlights past climate trends, projected climate change and vulnerabilities, and impacts to specific sectors. Rich in science and case studies, it examines the latest climate change impacts, scenarios, vulnerabilities, and adaptive capacity for nine major coastal regions of the United States and provides essential guidance for decision-makers - as well as environmental academics, professionals, and advocates - who seek to better understand how climate variability and change impact the US coasts and its communities.