Contrasting beach-ridge systems in different types of coastal settings

ISLA, M.F.; MOYANO PAZ, D.; FITZGERALD, D.,; SIMONTACCHI, L; VEIGA, G.D.

EARTH SURFACE PROCESSES AND LANDFORMS

JOHN WILEY & SONS LTD

Lugar: LOndres; Año: 2023 vol. 48 p. 47 - 71

0197-9337

Beach-ridge systems are geomorphological features common in every type of coastand have been widely interpreted as geo-archives of past sea-level, climatic, or tec-tonic changes. These relict morphological elements are well-known by their facies,architecture, stratigraphy, and evolution. However, the coastal context where beachridges are formed has never been evaluated. Coastal beach-ridge systems were clas-sified into four main types corresponding to deltaic strandplains, non-deltaicstrandplains, spits, and barrier islands. Our study consisted of three scales of analysis:(1) the entire beach-ridge system; (2) beach-ridge sets; and (3) individual beachridges.Several beach-ridge systems having formed in different types of coastal settings arecompared by their present characteristics. Geomorphic data generated fromprocessing and interpreting satellite images combined with previous studies are usedto quantify multi-scale attributes of beach-ridge systems. These attributes includethe area, length, width, number of sets, number of ridges per set, set rotation, ridgespacing, and ridge elevation. Our findings demonstrate that significant differencesdefine beach-ridge systems including deltaic strandplains, large non-deltaicstrandplains, small non-deltaic strandplains, large spits (cuspate forelands), small spits(flying spits, bay-mouth spits and tombolos) and barrier islands. A more comprehen-sive characterization of the factors controlling beach-ridge variability will improveour ability to recognize the sedimentary record of ancient of these systems. The pro-posed basic platform can be used to isolated different beach-ridge types and systemsto facilitate future process and morphodynamic studies.