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mathematically characterize the profiles and to develop and test criteria for 

 discriminating among groups of profiles. Localities were selected along 

 straight coastal reaches away from inlets and estuaries in areas where the 

 bottom consisted of unconsolidated sediments. 



Results of the study indicate Inner Continental Shelf profiles can be 

 mathematically defined by four parameters: a = ramp slope (0 to 0.00107); 

 b = depth of the ramp at the shoreline, when the ramp is extended as a straight 

 line below the shoreface sector (0 to 24.7 meters, to 81 feet); 3c = distance 

 from the shoreline to the shoref ace-ramp boundary (0.2 to 20.6 kilometers, 

 0.12 to 12.9 miles); and f = index of concavity of the shoreface sector 

 (0.21 to 1.72). Values in parentheses are the range of values obtained for the 

 49 averaged profiles. All depths are referenced to mean low water. An 

 equation was developed to define bottom depth as a function of distance from 

 shore incorporating the four relatively easy to obtain parameters. Computed 

 depths using the equation were found to be generally within 5 percent of the 

 actual profile depths at the 49 localities. In most cases, no relationship was 

 found between the geometric characteristics of the shoreface and the ramp. 



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