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PUTNAM 



representation. They can be indicated, for example, by narrow color bands in contrast with 

 broad color bands denoting the associated major landform coastal tjrpes. 



We are now in the process of adding a third element to our coastal classification, and 

 this will be essentially a climatic pattern as exemplified by the characteristic type of vegeta- 

 tion. This, I believe, we shall represent by numbers or by some kind of symbol or color scheme 

 overriding the symbols for coastal types. These environmental categories will be selected on 

 the basis of type areas, such as the Visayan Type or tropic grassland, Malayan Type or ever- 

 green rain forest, etc., in order to give them geographic relevance. They will be chosen as 

 nearly as possible to be representative of really distinctive and readily recognizable climati- 

 cally similar areas. In other words they can be used as analogs for predicting operational 

 problems in inaccessible areas. 



In summary, the proposed world map will show, in a landward sequence, the nearshore 

 and shoreline conditions, the character or major landforms and vegetation in the coastal strip, 

 and then the extent of climatically similar regions over the continents. This will provide a pic- 

 ture, we hope, that when interpreted will bring much-needed information into the strategic plan- 

 ning of landing operations. To restate our goal, it is to build a workable classification using 

 simple, meaningful terms that will convey some understanding of operating conditions to people 

 not necessarily trained in the military evaluation of terrain. Finally we want a classification 

 of coastal forms that is based almost entirely on their representation as seen from the air. 

 The aerial photograph is unquestionably the most powerful tool in our possession today, and 

 this classification is intended to aid photo interpreters. 



The oblique air photographs that follow are all from one region, the coast of southern 

 California, much of which is reasonably representative, we believe, of what might be described 

 in the first step of our scheme as complex hills. This is in considerable part a dry region, 

 which means that most streams are intermittent and do not supply a large volume of sediment 

 to the sea. As a consequence, beaches are relatively thin. Long stretches of the coast are 

 bordered by bare rock whose ledges can be traced into the sea (Fig. 3). The strike of the rocks 

 on land commonly is reflected in their seaward continuation by kelp, a plant which Introduces a 

 second operational problem on a coast such as this because it is commonly quite difficult to get 

 small landing craft ashore through this marine growth. Bedrock crops out practically every- 

 where on the surface of the ground inland. Some rocks are stable and hold up well, as in the 



Figure 2. Classification of Coastal Types Determined by Shore 

 Features (By J. T. McGill) 



