ON THE FORMATION OF SPIRAL BEACHES

Paul H. LeBlond

Abstract


The theory of wave-induced longshore currents is applied to problems of beach erosion. An erosion equation is derived, relating the local erosion (or deposition) rate to the form of the beach and to the characteristics of the incoming wave field. A numerical integration technique of the erosion equation is discussed and a specific example is examined: that of a linear coast line which is gradually eroded into a spiral-shaped beach in the lee of a headland.

Keywords


spiral beaches; beach formation

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