Morphodynamic characteristics and classification of beaches in England and Wales
dc.contributor.author | Scott, Tim | |
dc.contributor.author | Masselink, Gerd | |
dc.contributor.author | Russell, Paul | |
dc.date.accessioned | 2012-06-26T15:18:40Z | |
dc.date.available | 2012-06-26T15:18:40Z | |
dc.date.issued | 2011-08-01 | |
dc.identifier.issn | 0025-3227 | |
dc.identifier.issn | 1872-6151 | |
dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/1053 | |
dc.description.abstract |
The use of beach classification models has become widespread in literature in recent years. Beach classification models that recognise distinct modal beach states in response to environmental conditions are most widely used. These models were developed largely in high-energy, micro- to meso-tidal sandy environments and subsequent attention has focussed on extending their use into other beach environments. Here, the applicability of these traditional beach classification models to the highly diverse coastline of England and Wales was assessed through collection of detailed morphodynamic characteristics of 92 beaches, yielding a comprehensive multi-variate data set containing morphological, sedimentological and hydrodynamic information. The complex and diverse study region incorporates beach morphology covering the full spectrum from reflective to dissipative, and non-barred to multi-barred. Cluster analysis supplemented by MDS ordination resulted in the identification of 9 distinct beach types. Traditional morphodynamic indices Ω and RTR were found to be effective in discriminating between beach groups providing some support for the beach state models derived using information from Australian beaches. It was found that absolute wave energy (wave power) is important as well in controlling beach type. For intermediate beaches a wave energy flux P (αH2T) value of 3kWm>1 was found to differentiate between beaches with (P>3kWm-1) and without (P<3kWm-1) three-dimensional bar/rip morphology, a key component controlling recreational beach hazard levels. Observations presented here inform a beach classification model to be used as the basis for a national beach risk assessment programme. Beach classification models based on environmental parameters are, by necessity, simplifications and should be used as tools for understanding morphodynamic systems, rather than beach type prediction. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. | |
dc.format.extent | 1-20 | |
dc.language | en | |
dc.language.iso | en | |
dc.publisher | Elsevier BV | |
dc.subject | beach morphodynamics | |
dc.subject | beach morphology | |
dc.subject | beach classification | |
dc.subject | hierarchical cluster analysis | |
dc.subject | multi-dimensional scaling | |
dc.subject | macrotidal | |
dc.subject | rip currents | |
dc.subject | wave power | |
dc.subject | risk assessment | |
dc.subject | beach hazard | |
dc.title | Morphodynamic characteristics and classification of beaches in England and Wales | |
dc.type | journal-article | |
dc.type | Article | |
plymouth.author-url | http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=000295104800001&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=11bb513d99f797142bcfeffcc58ea008 | |
plymouth.issue | 1-4 | |
plymouth.volume | 286 | |
plymouth.publication-status | Published | |
plymouth.journal | MARINE GEOLOGY | |
dc.identifier.doi | 10.1016/j.margeo.2011.04.004 | |
plymouth.organisational-group | /Plymouth | |
plymouth.organisational-group | /Plymouth/Admin Group - REF | |
plymouth.organisational-group | /Plymouth/Admin Group - REF/REF Admin Group - FoSE | |
plymouth.organisational-group | /Plymouth/Faculty of Science and Engineering | |
plymouth.organisational-group | /Plymouth/Faculty of Science and Engineering/School of Biological and Marine Sciences | |
plymouth.organisational-group | /Plymouth/REF 2021 Researchers by UoA | |
plymouth.organisational-group | /Plymouth/REF 2021 Researchers by UoA/UoA07 Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences | |
plymouth.organisational-group | /Plymouth/Research Groups | |
plymouth.organisational-group | /Plymouth/Research Groups/Marine Institute | |
plymouth.organisational-group | /Plymouth/Users by role | |
plymouth.organisational-group | /Plymouth/Users by role/Academics | |
plymouth.organisational-group | /Plymouth/Users by role/Researchers in ResearchFish submission | |
dc.identifier.eissn | 1872-6151 | |
dc.rights.embargoperiod | Not known | |
rioxxterms.funder | Natural Environment Research Council | |
rioxxterms.identifier.project | Dynamics of Rip currents and Implications for Beach Safety (DRIBS) | |
rioxxterms.versionofrecord | 10.1016/j.margeo.2011.04.004 | |
rioxxterms.licenseref.uri | http://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved | |
rioxxterms.type | Journal Article/Review | |
plymouth.funder | Dynamics of Rip currents and Implications for Beach Safety (DRIBS)::Natural Environment Research Council |