Coastal geomorphology : an introduction / Eric Bird.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bird, E. C. F. (Eric Charles Frederick), 1930-

Contributor:

Anne and Joseph Trachtman Memorial Book Fund.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Coasts.

Physical Description:

xxi, 411 pages : illustrations, maps ; 26 cm

Edition:

Second edition.

Place of Publication:

Chichester, England ; Hoboken, NJ : Wiley, [2008]

Summary:

Coastal Geomorphology, Second Edition is a comprehensive and systematic introduction to the subject and demonstrates the dynamic nature of coastal landforms, providing a background for analytical planning and management strategies in coastal areas subject to continuing changes. This introductory textbook has been completely revised and updated, and is supplemented by a website which provides additional illustrations, global examples, case studies and more detailed and advanced information on topics referenced in the book, together with explanations of terminology, annotated references and research material. This book will provide the reader with a coastal geomorphology information system that will enable them to follow up particular topics in more detail if required.

This book will be an invaluable reference for undergraduate and graduate students taking relevant courses within physical geography, geology and other related earth and environmental science subjects. Completely revised and updated to include recent events such as the Indian Ocean tsunami and New Orleans flooding, Provides global examples of coastal features and process relationships from Britain, Europe, North America and Australasia, A systematic approach to coastal geomorphology to enhance student understanding, Includes key discussion on the effects of human activity on coasts and their continuing contribution to coastal landform changes, Includes a website with further references and case studies.

Contents:

1.1 Coastal geomorphology 1

1.3 Ancient coastlines 3

1.4 Coastline morphology 5

1.5 Coastline length 7

1.6 Coastal evolution 8

1.7 Changing coastlines 9

2 Coastal processes 13

2.2 Waves 13

2.3 Tides 25

2.4 Storm surges 31

2.5 Tsunamis 32

2.6 Currents 34

2.7 Nearshore water circulation 35

2.8 Wind action 36

2.9 Other processes 36

2.10 Modelling coastal processes 36

3 Land and sea level changes 39

3.2 Mean sea level 39

3.3 Causes of sea level change 40

3.4 Measuring changes of level 45

3.5 Correlation and dating of former coastlines 46

3.6 Emerged coastlines 46

3.7 Submerged coastlines 51

3.8 Sea level variations 53

3.9 Late Quaternary sea level changes 53

3.10 Modern sea level changes 58

3.11 Recent changes of land and sea level 62

3.12 Future sea level changes 65

4 Cliffs 67

4.2 Cliff evolution 69

4.3 Cliff morphology 74

4.4 Cliff weathering in cold climates 85

4.5 Cliffs and bluffs on humid tropical coasts 86

4.6 Cliff dissection 87

4.7 Outlines in plan of cliffed coasts 95

4.8 Coastal landslides 98

4.9 Rates of cliff recession 102

5 Shore platforms 107

5.1 Shore processes 107

5.2 Shore platforms 113

5.3 Plunging cliffs 130

6 Beaches 133

6.2 Beach sediments 134

6.3 Evolution of beaches 137

6.4 Provenance of beach sediments 138

6.5 Weathering of beach material 160

6.6 Beach rock 161

6.7 Nearshore processes 162

6.8 Beach morphology 162

6.9 Beach outlines in plan 164

6.10 Beach outlines in profile 171

6.11 Beach morphodynamics and beach states 179

6.12 Use of models 181

6.13 Beach compartments 182

6.14 Beach budgets 183

6.15 Tracing beach sediment flow 184

6.16 Lateral grading 187

6.17 Prograding beaches 190

6.18 Beach ridges 193

6.19 Cheniers 197

6.20 Beach lobes 198

7 Beach erosion 201

7.2 The multiple causes of beach erosion 217

7.3 Effects of artificial structures on beaches 218

7.4 Beach nourishment 219

8 Spits, barriers and bars 223

8.2 Spits 223

8.3 Tombolos 229

8.4 Cuspate and lobate spits 230

8.5 Cuspate and lobate forelands 234

8.6 Coastal barriers and barrier islands 235

8.7 Intertidal sandflats 242

8.8 Bars and troughs 242

8.9 Sand shoals 245

8.10 Ripples 245

8.11 Sandstone reefs 246

9 Coastal dunes 247

9.2 Foredunes 250

9.3 Backshore cliffing of dunes 252

9.4 Parallel dunes 253

9.5 Blow-outs and parabolic dunes 255

9.6 Transgressive dunes 258

9.7 Cliff-top dunes 261

9.8 Dunes on shingle 261

9.9 Rates of dune movement 262

9.10 Dune calcarenite 263

9.11 Machair 265

9.12 Coastal dunes in the humid tropics 266

9.13 Old and new dunes 267

9.14 Dune sandrock 268

9.15 Dune lakes 268

10 Intertidal wetlands 271

10.2 Intertidal morphology 271

10.3 Sources of intertidal sediments 274

10.4 Mudflats 274

10.5 Intertidal vegetation 276

10.6 Sea-grass beds 276

10.7 Salt marshes 277

10.8 Mangroves 286

10.9 Freshwater swamps 293

11 Estuaries and lagoons 295

11.2 Rias 295

11.3 Fiords 296

11.4 Fiards 298

11.5 Calanques 298

11.6 Sharms and sebkhas 298

11.7 Estuaries 299

11.8 Coastal lagoons 311

12 Deltas 331

12.2 Delta components 331

12.3 Deltaic processes 332

12.4 The Mississippi delta 334

12.5 Delta outlines 337

12.6 Delta evolution 342

12.7 Delta shores 346

13 Coral and algal reefs 349

13.2 Coral reefs 349

13.3 Origin of coral reefs 350

13.4 Rates of growth 351

13.5 Fringing reefs 353

13.6 Barrier reefs 354

13.7 Atolls 357

13.8 Emerged coral reefs 359

13.9 Islands on coral reef platforms 360

13.10 Algal and other biogenic reefs 363

14 Future coasts 365

14.2 Greenhouse effect and sea level rise 365

14.3 General effects of a rising sea level 366

14.4 Effects of a changing climate 369

14.5 Effects on cliffs and shore platforms 369

14.6 Effects on beaches, spits and barriers 372

14.7 Effects on coastal dunes 376

14.8 Effects on intertidal wetlands 376

14.9 Effects on estuaries and lagoons 379

14.10 Effects on deltaic coasts 380

14.11 Effects on coral and algal reefs 381.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [387]-404) and index.

Local Notes:

Acquired for the Penn Libraries with assistance from the Anne and Joseph Trachtman Memorial Book Fund.

ISBN:

9780470517291

0470517298

9780470517307

0470517301

OCLC:

166625998

Online:

Publisher description