Global Distribution and Morphodynamic Patterns of Paired Spits Developed at the Mouths of Interdistributary Bays of Deltas and within Coastal Channels

Previously, paired spits have been described at the mouths of bays, estuaries, and deltas. This study analyzed the worldwide distribution and morphodynamic patterns of paired spits located at the mouths of interdistributary bays of deltas (three systems) and within coastal channels (24 systems). The...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Alcántara Carrió, Javier, Fontán-Bouzas, Ángela, Caicedo Rodríguez, Ana, Portantiolo Manzolli, Rogerio, Portz , Luana Carla
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2023
País:España
Institución:Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Repositorio:Biblos-e Archivo. Repositorio Institucional de la UAM
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.uam.es:10486/713730
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/10486/713730
https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs15112713
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Baymouth spits
breaching
degradation
double spits
erosion
geomorphology
progradation
Geología
Descripción
Sumario:Previously, paired spits have been described at the mouths of bays, estuaries, and deltas. This study analyzed the worldwide distribution and morphodynamic patterns of paired spits located at the mouths of interdistributary bays of deltas (three systems) and within coastal channels (24 systems). The methodology was based on the detailed analysis of satellite images, nautical charts, and tidal-range databases. The paired spits found were mainly located on microtidal coasts at high or mid latitudes. Waves were the main factor controlling convergent progradation and breaching of the spits, while the hydraulic blockage for the development of these paired spits was mainly due to tide-induced currents, as well as minor fluvial outlets in the interdistributary bays. Three morphodynamic patterns were identified: (i) stable, with low progradation rates, generally without breaching or degradation of any of the spits; (ii) stationary, with high progradation rates, alternating degradation or breaching of any of the spits with the formation of new spits or closure of the breaches; and (iii) instable or ephemeral, which included three subtypes, the severe erosion of one or both spits, the joining of the head of the two spits forming a single barrier, and the merging of each with its channel margin