Beach and sea-cliff dynamics as a driver of long-term rocky coastline evolution and stability

Abstract

Research Article| December 01, 2011 Beach and sea-cliff dynamics as a driver of long-term rocky coastline evolution and stability Patrick W. Limber; Patrick W. Limber Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Duke University, Box 90227, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar A. Brad Murray A. Brad Murray Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Duke University, Box 90227, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (2011) 39 (12): 1147–1150. https://doi.org/10.1130/G32315.1 Article history received: 04 Apr 2011 rev-recd: 23 Jun 2011 accepted: 13 Jul 2011 first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Patrick W. Limber, A. Brad Murray; Beach and sea-cliff dynamics as a driver of long-term rocky coastline evolution and stability. Geology 2011;; 39 (12): 1147–1150. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/G32315.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract We investigate rocky coastline evolution over millennial time scales using exploratory analytical and numerical models based on interactions between beaches and sea cliffs. In the models, wave-driven sea-cliff retreat is a nonlinear function of beach width, where cliff retreat is maximized by sediment abrasion and minimized by either a lack of beach sediment or too much sediment (which prevents waves from reaching the sea cliff). As sea cliffs retreat, beach sediment is produced and distributed alongshore by wave-driven sediment transport, and local beach widths determine future cliff retreat rates. Numerical experiments indicate that through such interactions, rocky coastlines can reach an equilibrium configuration where headlands and embayments remain stable through time, even in the absence of alongshore variations in sea-cliff lithology. Furthermore, the equilibrium coastline configuration, or the alongshore proportion of rocky headland to cliff-backed pocket beach, can be predicted analytically. Initial tests suggest that predictions match well qualitatively with actual landscapes. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.