TRANSACTIONS 



OF THE 



i^oba ^cotian Snsititute of Science 



SESSIONS OF 1919-1920 



(Vol. XV. Part 2.) 



Port Hood Harbour: Its Past, Present and Probable 

 Future. — By D. S. McIntosh, B. A., M. Sc, Professor oj 

 Geology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, N. S. 



(Read 10 November, 1919) 



INTRODUCTION 



To an observant wat-cher by the seashore, the work of storm 

 waves is readily apparent. The seeming ease with which the 

 sand, pebbles and larger fragments of rock are moved about 

 cannot fail to be noted. When the waves strike so as to make an 

 oblique angle with the shoreline, the undertow is changed into 

 a current which sweeps material along the coast instead of 

 carrying it directly seaward. If the cliffs are reached by the 

 storm, the waves hurl loose portions of rock from the beach 

 'against them, gradually wear them back, and sweep the debris 

 along in the direction of advance. The shoreline is tlius being 

 worn away in one place and built up in another; the land mass 

 is being reduced, while bars and shoals are forming on and near 

 the strand line. With each succeeding storm this activity is 

 repeated, and it needs but length of time to greatly alter the con- 

 tour of the coast. Like most of the natural processes, the action 

 of the waves along the shore is slow in making noticeable changes, 

 and what is observed by one generation may be lost to the next. 

 Hence, the necessity of records of change which may be invaluable 

 to the future geographer. 



Pkos. & Tkans. N. S. Inst. Si-i., Vol. XV. Trans 1. 



(71) 



