and climatic changes, causing the zone of constant wave action to transgress 

 or regress. Investigations of the geologic history of coasts thus may extend 

 beyond the narrow zone of present shorelines to cover much wider areas over 

 which coastal processes have acted during the geologic past. 



Scope 



This report describes technology and procedures for obtaining and 

 analyzing evidence that can be used to interpret the geologic history of coasts. 

 Three principal investigation time scales are discussed; namely, modern, 

 historic, and paleoenvironmental. Some techniques used to collect and 

 analyze data from the field, laboratory, and office can in some cases be 

 applied to different time scale groups. For example, aerial photographs can 

 provide information regarding both modern processes and historical changes 

 of coasts. For this reason, this report is divided according to the differing 

 locations where data are collected and analyzed, rather than according to the 

 time scale of the investigation. 



Chapter 1 provides an introduction and review of this report. Chapter 2 

 describes the coastal zone morphologies and environmental factors responsible 

 for temporal and spatial variations of coasts, and discusses potential secondary 

 sources of information for coastal studies. In Chapter 3, field data collection 

 and observation are discussed. Chapter 4 summarizes recent laboratory tech- 

 niques and approaches, both for analysis of field data and for controlled 

 studies using physical models. Chapter 5 reviews a variety of approaches 

 used for office analysis and interpretation of data from both primary and 

 secondary sources. Chapter 6 summarizes and gives an overview of the 

 application and availability of technology for assessing the geologic history of 

 the coastal zone. Appendix A is a glossary of geologic terms, Appendix B is 

 a listing of Wave Information Studies (WIS) reports, and Appendix C is a list 

 of sources for aerial photography and other remote sensing data. Appendix D 

 contains addresses of government agencies that produce maps, and Appen- 

 dix E is a list of journals that contain articles pertaining to the geologic and 

 geomorphic history of coasts. Appendix F is a site visit checklist for a coastal 

 erosion study. 



In reviewing technologies for assessing the geologic and geomorphic 

 history of coasts, this report covers a breadth of information. Many of the 

 techniques used to monitor processes and structures in the coastal zone are 

 exceedingly complex. This report outlines some of the many errors that can 

 occur when the inexperienced user deploys instruments or accepts without 

 critical appraisal data from secondary sources. The text is not intended to be 

 so pessimistic that it dissuades coastal researchers from continuing their 

 investigations, but rather is intended to guide them to other references or to 

 specialists where expert advice can be obtained. The reader should also con- 

 sult basic references regarding coastal geology, geomorphology, 



Chapter 1 Introduction 



