Bedforms and structures associated with bar topography in the shallow-water wave environment, Kouchibouguac Bay, New Brunswick, Canada

Abstract

Abstract Bedforms and structures identified on a micro-tidal, low to moderate energy barred coastline, Kouchibouguac Bay, New Brunswick, are controlled by wave-energy, water depth and the resulting wave form and correlate closely with the sequence documented for a high energy, non-barred nearshore by Clifton et al. (1971). The major differences are: (1) steep (up to 25 degrees ), landward-dipping, medium-scale cross-bedding produced by migration of the avalanche slope of the bar front; (2) seaward dipping, small and medium-scale cross-bedding produced by megaripples in seaward flowing rip-currents which dissect the bar; (3) repetition of the sequence of bedforms and structures as waves shoal, break on the bar and reform in the trough to finally break at the beach face.