MICRDTIDAL 



MACRDTIDAl 



BARRIER 

 ISLAND/ 

 STRANDPLAIN 



TIDAL 

 SAND 

 RIDGES 



2 — MESQTIDAL - 



TIDAL RANGE (M) 



Figure 4. Morphology of microtidal, mesotidal, and macrotidal coastlines (modified from 

 Hayes (1976)). Stipple pattern represents the likelihood that a particular land 

 form is found along a stretch of the shoreline subject to the tide range indicated 

 on the x-axis 



materials, and human activities. The factors vary in magnitude or energy and 

 in frequency and duration. Coastal materials may differ in structure, 

 lithology, size, and consolidation, causing differences in their resistance to 

 erosive forces. 



Assessment of the geologic and geomorphic history of coasts is complex 

 because a multiplicity of environmental factors affect the coast simultaneously, 

 and coastal features can change immediately or slowly in response to these 

 factors. Throughout the Pleistocene and Holocene periods, there have been 

 significant fluctuations of sea level, continental tectonic uplift and subsidence, 



Chapter 1 Introduction 



