Storm-Driven Cyclic Beach Morphodynamics of a Mixed Sand and Gravel Beach Along the Mid-Atlantic Coast, USA
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-2013
Keywords
beach cycles, storm-impact, storm deposits, post-storm recovery, mixed beach morphology, sandbar, Nor'Ida, Delaware
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.margeo.2013.08.001
Abstract
The morphodynamics of a mixed sand and gravel beach in Delaware were investigated based on 18 almost monthly beach-profile surveys at 46 locations from 2009 to 2011, 60 sediment cores, and 550 surface sediment samples collected at various alongshore and cross-shore transects. Three different atmospheric disturbances occurred within a 3-month window during the study period: 1) a distal hurricane, 2) an energetic winter storm, and 3) “Nor'Ida”, a long-lasting and extremely energetic event resulting from the collision of a hurricane and winter storm. The storm-induced beach changes and post-storm recovery following each of the three storms are evaluated. A distinctive beach cycle was identified consisting of a built-up berm profile and depleted nearly-planar storm profile. The time-scale of the beach cycle relates to the frequency and intensity of storm impact and duration of inter-storm recovery instead of simple seasonality. The initiation of post-storm recovery occurs during the subsiding phase of the storm, attributable to the reduction in wave height and steepness transitioning to accretionary swells. The sediment characteristics of the storm deposit associated with Nor'Ida demonstrated substantial cross-shore variation ranging from sandy-gravel and gravelly-sand within the storm swash zone (near the pre-storm dune edge) to well-sorted medium to coarse sand seaward of the storm swash zone. Storm deposits along mixed sand and gravel beaches demonstrate a variety of sedimentological characteristics. In addition, the studied beaches lacked a sandbar under all wave conditions. A new beach cycle model is proposed for the non-barred mixed sand and gravel beach.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Marine Geology, v. 346, p. 403-421
Scholar Commons Citation
Roberts, Tiffany M.; Wang, Ping; and Puleo, Jack A., "Storm-Driven Cyclic Beach Morphodynamics of a Mixed Sand and Gravel Beach Along the Mid-Atlantic Coast, USA" (2013). School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications. 1211.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/geo_facpub/1211
