Morphology of a low-energy beach, Como Beach, Western Australia

M J Eliot; Ailbhe Travers; I Eliot

doi:10.2112/05A-0006.1

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Morphology of a low-energy beach, Como Beach, Western Australia

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Morphology of a low-energy beach, Como Beach, Western Australia

M J Eliot, Ailbhe Travers and I Eliot

Journal of Coastal Research, Vol.22(1), pp.63-77

2006

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2112/05A-0006.1

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Abstract

Engineering

Earth Sciences

low-energy beach

fetch-restricted environment

estuary shore

subtidal terrace

travsverse finger bars

beachface profile

The morphology of Como Beach in the Swan River Estuary, Western Australia, is described. Como Beach is in a microtidal estuarine environment in which modal wave conditions are extremely low and nontidal fluctuations in water level are principally determined by storm surges and low-frequency changes in ocean water levels. Detailed descriptions of sandy beaches in very sheltered locations, such as Como, are uncommon in the literature, although these beaches are a common feature of coastal environments. In contrast to beaches in wave-dominated environments, those in very sheltered, low-energy locations may support subtidal terraces and beach profiles that differ in form and scale from the bars and intertidal flats in wave- and tide-dominated environments. At Como, beach profiles are superimposed on a subtidal terrace rising steeply from waters several metres deep to -1.5 m (Australian Height Datum; AHD), then with a low gradient to approximately -0.3 m (AHD) at the shore. The profiles range from planar forms on which very small waves (Hb less than 0.1 m) are dissipated to curvilinear forms that reflect higher waves (Hb > 0.2 m) from the beachface. A transitional form with a segmented profile comprising a steep beachface and flat inshore occurs, particularly where littoral drift is apparent.

Details

Title: Morphology of a low-energy beach, Como Beach, Western Australia
Authors: M J Eliot (Author) - University of Western Australia
Ailbhe Travers (Author) - University of Western Australia
I Eliot (Author) - University of Western Australia
Publication details: Journal of Coastal Research, Vol.22(1), pp.63-77
Publisher: Coastal Education & Research Foundation, Inc.
Date published: 2006
DOI: 10.2112/05A-0006.1
ISSN: 0749-0208
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450086502621
Output Type: Journal article

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