In
geomorphological studies, a wide range of coastal classifications based on
natural processes are available. These classifications results from very
different approaches but are not necessarily incompatible. Used criteria basically
include the tectonic and hydrodynamic controls, as well as the sedimentological
response.
Hydrodynamics
control includes classifications after wave parameters, spring tidal range and
a combination of both. A major advance in this type of classifications was the
inclusion of the term megatidal, previously applied in ecological studies and
later adopted in coastal geomorphology. Thus, Levoy et al. defined as megatidalthe coast with tidal ranges higher than 8 m, while other authors agree to
locate the limit of megatidal coasts at 6 m. Therefore, the following four
types of coasts, differentiated after its tidal range, should be considered as
standards for future researches: microtidal (0-2 m), mesotidal (2-4 m),
macrotidal (4-6 m), and megatidal (>6 m). A ternary classification,
considering river, wave, and tide influence supported a very useful analysis of
siliciclastic sedimentary coasts. The combination of tectonic and hydrodynamic
controls led to the proposition of coastal morphogenetic classifications, which
are probably the most widely used classification schemes. Read more...............
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